Jaid: Here's another chapter everyone! Thanks for all the lovely reviews! You all are so nice to me!! ^__^
Naga: You got more? Good skies, people! Are you fools trying to make her egotistic?
Jaid: *smacks him with frying pan* Be nice! They're just telling me how much they appreciate my work.
Naga: Can I say how much I un-appreciate it?
Jad: Is that a word?
Naga: Nobody asked you.
Jad: -__- Enjoy the chapter. Reviewer response down at the bottom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning at school, Katya was in the office reserved for the yearbook staff, downloading some pictures. She and another girl would split the Valentine's day dance tomorrow, since they both had dates.
A knock on the door caused her to look up. Tristan stood there, grinning in the slightly goofy way he always did when she was around.
"Can I come in?" he asked. Katya nodded.
"Sure, these pictures are taking way too long anyway." She said. Tristan nodded and sat next to her on a chair. For a few minutes they talked about nothing of consequence, Tristan all the while seeming slightly fidgety. Finally, he took a small wrapped box out of his pocket.
"Uh, here." He said putting it on the counter. Katya looked at him in pleasant surprise.
"It's your gift, but I wanted to give it to you a day early." Tristan explained.
"Oh." Katya tore open the paper and opened the box. "Oh Trist!"
Tristan's grin was now full-blown. "You like it?"
"Yeah, duh! Come on, help me put it on." Katya handed the necklace to her and she pulled aside her thick, curly hair. Tristan bit the end of his tongue, his fingers clumsy with the tiny clasp.
"Can you get it?" Katya asked.
"I'm trying." Tristan said.
"Isn't this a pretty picture." Rei commented wryly as she entered. Tristan blushed and Katya grinned at her friend.
"You think so?"
Rei dumped a CD on the desk next to Katya. "Here; Ayame told me to give you this and ask if you could download it too."
"Sure."
Rei looked over to where Tristan was still fighting the necklace clasp.
"You want help?" she asked. Tristan sighed and relinquished his hold on the chain to Rei. A few seconds later, Katya was showing the pendant to her friend.
"Isn't it sweet of him?" she said, eyes bright. Rei hid a smile as Tristan's grin got bigger and goofier.
"Yes." She agreed. "I gotta go now. See ya lovebirds later and remember," she paused at the door and grinned mischievously, "No making out on school grounds."
"Rei!" moaned Katya. Rei left, laughing. As she walked down the hall, Rei shook her head. She was glad Katya was happy with Tristan and that Tara was happy with Duke. As for her, she didn't really need a boyfriend. Not now anyway. For the longest time, Rei had been The Tomboy and had never taken even a glancing interest in boyfriends. Most guys weren't aware of her existence anyways; she tended to fade in the background when girls like Tara were around.
"Oh, hello."
Rei was startled out of her thoughts by a British accented voice. Ryou stood there, smiling, but a troubled look in his brown eyes.
"Hi." Rei said cautiously.
"I think I have some explaining to do." Ryou said in a hushed voice. "Would you please meet me after school? I can explain, I promise."
Rei looked away, hugging her books to her chest tightly. "I guess. That would probably be good." She said softly. 'I promised to listen.' She looked at Ryou. "The little café down the street then."
He nodded as the bell rang and they both headed to class.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
"You can't do that!"
"Says who?"
"The rulebook said-"
"You can't even read it!"
"But Isis told me!!"
Shadi mentally sighed. He was trying to read a book while the Spirits were arguing over how to play a game Isis had taught them last night. Shadi wasn't sure what it was, but it involved money and that was all Scales had had to hear.
The reason they were indoors is because Scales started scaring people by swearing in Egyptian every time he fell. It hadn't helped that Ankh had caught the giggles again, so Shadi and Isis had finally marched out and ordered them both inside.
Isis was at the museum and privately, Shadi was glad. He was in love yes, but he wasn't sure of himself, of Isis or really of anything. He was beginning to get nervous around her; a feeling he hadn't experienced for ages.
In the living room, Scales growled at Ankh, who was stubbornly holding his position.
"It said so." he said.
"You mean she said so." Scales shot back. Ankh, feeling rather childish, stuck his tongue out at the other spirit. Scales snorted and threw a little house at Ankh. It hit the healer on the nose. Ankh blinked, than threw a tiny metal shoe at Scales. It bounced off Scales' red turban. Making a face, Scales threw a handful of tiny houses at Ankh. The spirit ducked, but still got hit. He took a metal hat and threw it at Scales. Scales retaliated with a guy on a horse. Ankh was about to chuck the thimble at him, when Shadi cleared his throat. The two spirits looked up. Ankh looked slightly guilty, while Scales just looked bored. Or angry. He couldn't seem to make up his mind.
"Whatever the rules may be, I don't think this is how you play the game." Shadi reminded them quietly.
"Maybe not." Scales agreed, then gave a nasty grin. "But it's sure a whole lot more fun!" With that, he threw another house at Ankh. The healer gave a startled sort of noise, then threw the thimble at him.
"Stop it!" he said.
"Make me." Scales challenged. Shadi sighed, rolled his eyes and went back to the dining room.
"Hey, when are we leaving this dump anyways?!" Scales shouted from the living room. "We've been here almost a week as is!"
Shadi didn't answer him. He really didn't know the answer. Admittedly, this trip to Japan was the longest yet. Back in Egypt was his home and place. But…Isis wasn't there. As much as Shadi dreaded seeing her again, not seeing her at all would hurt far worse.
Shadi gave a slight groan and rested his head in his hands.
"Shadi?" Ankh appeared. "Are you okay?"
"Hm?" the turbaned man looked up. "Yes. I am fine."
Ankh looked down at him, not entirely convinced. "I thought I heard you groan."
"It was just some frustration." Shadi assured him.
"Oh okay." Ankh said, then left. Scales was randomly pushing buttons on the TV again. Ankh sat next to him, a meditative look on the healer's face.
"Hey, Scales?"
"What?" Scales said, poking the VCR.
"Do you think that Isis likes Shadi too?"
Scales gave Ankh a narrowed eyed look. "What is with you?"
"I just want them to be happy, that's all." Ankh said. "Will you help me?"
Scales snorted. "Yeah, I'll help."
"Thank you, Scales!"
"When the underworld freezes over and Osiris learns to ice skate." Scales finished, turning back to the amazing wonders of button pushing. Ankh sighed quietly in disappointment, trying to think up a plan.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
"Hey, Wheeler!"
Joey turned as Duke walked up.
"So," the boy said. "I'm supposed to ask you how it's going."
"You're supposed too?" Joey asked. Duke nodded to Tara who stood a little ways away with some other girls.
"And you call me whipped." Joey remarked. Duke narrowed his eyes, but shook it off. Joey grinned.
"How is what going?" he asked.
"Tara is very interested in you and Mai." The boy sighed. "She'd make a happy matchmaking professional."
Joey grinned again. "Tell her we're just fine."
Duke nodded. "Will do. Hey, where are you headed? I think some of us are going to the arcade."
"Nah, I want to see my sister. Maybe I'll catch up."
"Okay! You can bring Mai if you want!" Duke called, walking back towards his girlfriend. Joey nodded and waved bye.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rei cautiously exited the school, looking around for Ryou.
"Hey." he said softly from behind her. She jumped slightly and whirled around.
"Hi." she answered, smiling tentatively. "Let's go."
Ryou nodded.
During the entire walk, neither spoke. Rei didn't know what to say or do. It wasn't like they had had a real argument or anything. Ryou kept glancing at her, but she kept her eyes on the sidewalk and her face was impassive. His heart sank a little lower and so did his courage.
At the café, there was an uncomfortable silence as they both looked at their hot chocolate. Finally, Rei spoke.
"What did you want to say?" she asked.
"I was trying to tell you that day." Ryou fumbled slightly. "Before I switched I mean."
"Switched?" Rei asked.
Ryou nodded.
Rei set down her cup a little hard. "I'm just slightly confused. One minute, you were a nice, quiet boy, then the next your some…I dunno…" she broke off, looking to him for answers.
Ryou's shoulders were slumped. "Yes, I do have sort of a dark side. But it's more than a personality switch. There's a lot to explain and a lot more I don't know. Even if I did, you might think I was just making it up." he sighed.
"Ryou…"
"I don't know what happens when my other side comes out." Ryou broke her off. "Sometimes he hurts people. If he hurt you…I…" he trailed off and shook his head. "I can't….I don't think I should come over anymore." There was a long silence.
"So, that's it then." Rei said softly. "You don't even want to be friends with me?"
"It's not that! It's…I just don't trust myself."
"It's okay." Rei smiled, but her voice was shaky. "I mean, it wasn't like we really knew each other or anything. And it's not as if we were going out." She stood and slung her backpack over her shoulder. "I'll see you around I guess. It was nice to meet you Ryou, even if it was just a little bit." She paused, trying to catch his eye, but Ryou kept his gaze on the table top. Hurt, Rei turned and silently left.
Ryou didn't answer, just nodded, looking miserable. Rei walked quickly away, not looking back. Once she exited the restaurant, she broke into a run and ran all the way home. When she reached her grandparents' she opened the door and ran to her room.
"Rei, is that you?" her grandmother called.
"Yeah."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just going to lie down for a little."
"All right."
Rei dropped her books and backpack on the easy chair in her room and climbed up onto her high bed. Unbidden, tears stung her eyes. That was why she had left so quickly; she had feared crying in a public place and in front of Ryou. Rei curled into a ball. 'What is wrong with me? He's just another guy.' she thought, but her heart told her that he wasn't just another guy. Ryou had been special.
Standing, Rei slipped off the bed and changed her clothes. "I'm going to the park." she called. Her grandmother nodded as she sewed in front of the TV. Rei stepped out and walked down the street.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
"Serenity?" Joey said entering the room. The red-head looked up.
"Joey?"
"Hi." Joey came in and sat down on the bed. "Look, I'm sorry about what happened. I shouldn't have yelled at you."
"It's okay."
"No, it ain't." Joey sighed. "Serenity, you're my little sister and I've always felt protective of you. I don't want anybody to hurt ya, you know? "
"I know that Joey." Serenity held out her hand and he took it. "You wouldn't be the brother I love if you didn't. But I'm growing up. I have to make my own decisions. You're not always going to be around, okay?"
"Yeah." Joey sighed. "He's still coming, isn't he?"
There was a long silence.
"Yeah." Serenity finally said.
Joey's lips pursed into a thin line. "He comin' today?"
"I think so."
Joey nodded. "Okay then."
"Thanks for understanding." Serenity whispered and squeezed his hand. He smiled wryly and squeezed it back.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ryou walked home rather slowly. 'I guess she really didn't care.' he thought slowly. 'But she was right; it wasn't as if we had known each other.'
He thought about the few times they had been alone to talk. They had clicked in a way Ryou had never clicked with someone before. Rei was a proud, strong person, but she did have a friendliness that made him relax. Enough to talk anyways. And it was more than that. They had almost…understood each other without speaking. Ryou kicked a stone in his path. He'd never met a girl like her. He probably never would.
When he reached his apartment, he collapsed on the couch. The Ring glowed and his yami appeared, arms crossed.
"That," he declared. "was sad."
Ryou stared at him dully. "What do you mean?"
"What do you think I mean?" The tomb robber said. "I just thought that girl had more to her. But one thing like this and…" he didn't finish.
"It's not like that." Ryou said, sitting up. "Besides, if you hadn't-"
"Are you blaming me?" Bakura demanded. Ryou looked away and didn't answer.
"Huh, I'll take that for a yes." Bakura walked away, but paused at the door way. "You didn't even want to take a chance did you?"
"Take a chance?" Ryou stood. "With what? With her on the line? No! I know there is some good in you Yami, but…"
"You still don't trust me enough." Bakura smirked. "Maybe I under-estimated that girl. This is the most reaction I've ever had out of you."
Suddenly, Ryou's spirit felt exhausted, like his Yami had beaten him up. He looked at the spirit with bleary eyes and shook his head. "I won't risk it." he said softly. "I don't want her to get hurt."
Bakura snorted again. "You've already done that. Didn't you hear her voice at the café? No, you probably didn't. I shouldn't expect that much out of you I suppose." He turned away again, but a sudden thought crossed Ryou's mind.
"Yami? Are you trying to get me back together with Rei?"
The tomb robber looked disgusted. "No. Whatever gave you that idea? I just wanted to meet her again. Something in her eyes reminded me-" He broke off angrily, as if he had said too much and then he left. Ryou sat back down on the couch and thought hard, for a very long time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Later that night, Tara knocked on Rei's door.
"Who is it?" the girl called.
"Tara. Come on, open up."
"Come in."
Tara opened the door. Rei was seated in the middle of her bed, facing one of the windows. Her back was to the door.
"Did he ask yet?" Tara asked excitedly, coming up to the bed and hopping on.
"No. I told you, boys and I don't mix well."
Tara blinked, then looked at her friend. "Have you been crying?"
Rei glared at her. "Does it look like it?"
Tara frowned. "Well excuse me for caring." She snapped.
Rei sighed and passed a hand over her face. "He doesn't want to see me again." she said in a soft, but emotionless voice.
"You broke up?"
Rei laughed. "There was nothing to break up, okay Tara? Ryou and I weren't that way. We were just friends. And he doesn't want even that anymore."
"Oh." Tara was quiet. "Well, he's a lot dumber than he looks then."
Rei gave a thin smile. "Cut it out, Tara. That's not what you really think."
"Well…?"
"Well what?" Rei's smile faded. "It's not something I can share. It's personal, okay?"
Tara sighed. "Okay." She took her friend's hand. "Are you all right? I mean, you usually don't cry over stuff like this. You're so…tough."
Rei shrugged. "I don't know, Tara. I honestly don't know."
There was silence, then Tara slugged her arm. "Come on, I'm taking you out for ice cream."
"I can't. I'm on my diet and I already cheated today at the cafe."
"Then cheat again."
"I have to stay in shape for the track meets."
Tara rolled her eyes. "Geez, can't you do something wrong for once?"
"No." Rei smiled bitterly. 'I all ready did.' She added in her mind.
"Please? I'll get you fat-free yogurt or something." Tara prodded. "It'll beat rice and chicken again for dinner."
Rei sighed. "Okay." She stopped. "How do you know what I eat for dinner?"
"You were complaining about it in the chatroom yesterday." Tara grinned happily. "And you'll still come to the dance?"
Rei rolled her brown eyes. "Yes, I'll still come to the dance. But no more setting me up, got it?"
"Okay." Tara said in a false innocent tone. Rei gave her a narrowed eyed stare, but didn't resist when Tara pulled her out the door.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
"Oh." Seto looked up at the clock. "It's almost eight thirty."
"Really?" Serenity giggled. "Oh my gosh, you've been here since what? Four thirty?"
"Yeah." Seto looked down at the book. "Do you realize we've only reached chapter five?"
Serenity giggled again. "We aren't getting very far are we? I'm afraid we're more interested in each other than in poor Bilbo and the dwarves."
Seto smiled, but he caught the statement that Serenity had made in all innocence. More interested in each other. 'Yeah, that fit.' Seto thought. He was definitely more interested in the girl before him than in the fantasy story on his lap.
"I'd better get home." he said, standing. "Mokuba will be wondering."
"You should bring him some time." Serenity told him. "I'd like to meet him."
"He said he'd already met you." Seto said. "When he got me signed up for this."
"Oh, that was him?" Serenity asked. "He didn't say his name or anything. Well, I'd be glad to see him again. He seemed sweet."
"He is." Seto put a hand on her shoulder. "I'll see you later."
Serenity nodded, her face radiant. "Later."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was late Friday night. Ankh stood in indecision outside of Isis' room.
"What are you doing?" Scales demanded in a loud whisper.
"Sh!" Ankh admonished him. "I'm trying to put this in Isis' room. Shadi said he had changed his mind."
Scales stared at him blankly for a moment. "You're crazy."
"If you help me, I'll give you two of my chocolates." Ankh promised, stuttering a little over the foreign word.
"Six." Scales demanded.
"But that's all I have left! I'll give you two."
"Four."
"Three."
"Three and a half."
Ankh sighed. "All right."
Scales grinned. "So, what are we supposed to do?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
OVER FIFTY REVIEWS!!! I can't believe it! Thank you all so much!!!
Iris – They will, they will! Just not very soon. Yes, I am torturing you and them. BWAHAHAHA!!!!
Indigo – Glad you liked it! Um…I'm not sure which pieces they picked…Whatever they wanted I guess! I have a feeling Scales might have insisted upon a plastic house just to irritate Isis tho.
Amber – LOL! I can't believe that scene was just like you and Jon! How funny and sweet. He must be some guy. Got your e-mail. Lol, I'll send you back the next part ASAP.
ShadowDragon – Thanks! (Oh good, no more threats! ^__^)
SilverShadow – I'm honored that your honored that I'm honored. Lol, sounds like Monty Python! ^__^ Jeez, why are people always sicking their brothers on me? Like I don't have enough of them? O.O lol, just j/k
K-chan – Wow, you so totally made my day. I'm glad you like Rei and Tara!
Serena – Gosh, I don't know what to say. Thank you for your kind compliments.
Black Mistress – lol, thanks for the review. (How'd you get a hold of Yami? Know a way I can get a hold of Yugi?)
BBHH/Helen Hsu – Um, it's not explained just yet. Next chapter I think…
Jellybob15 – Oh…eh, sorry about that. I think it was supposed to be something, like, Tea knows Yugi has feelings for her without saying.
Naga: You think?
Give me a break! You're the one who gets me into these things!
Naga: Sure…blame the muse.
Anime*Angel*Fox – You do? *dances around happily* I'm so glad. My biggest fear with OC's is that people won't like them or I might make them Mary-Sueish. You're welcome for the insults and stuff. ^__^
DDW – It's a habit. I've done it with all my chaptered stories. I like it when authors talk to their reviewers, so that's why I do it. ^__^ Oh, that's okay. In fact, I just found out that Rei's actually a boy's name. Oops. X__X But it suits her, ne? To tell the truth, I don't know what will happen with Ryou and Rei. We'll all just have to see.
Lynx wings – Really? *cries* Thankyouthankyouthankyou!!!!
You people are all so nice to me!!! *cries in happiness*
Naga: *holding up an umbrella* Great. She's in one of those moods now.
Jad: *soaked* Please remember to review. Jaid, you need to stop crying! The alternate dimension room is getting flooded!
