Hey, guys! I'm back, with another chapter of my demented fic! ^^;;; Well, here are the thank-you's...

Ruki Lee/Rika Wong--You'll find out who it is in this chapter...^_~

fdsgfds--Hmm...Maybe. -mysterious smile- Thank you! I think my writing style is sometimes over-descriptive...^^;;

Knight_Lancer--Thank you for the review! Yeah...There are actually lots of fics where Anzu's raped. o_o

K-chan--Thank you very much!

sb1--Yeah...-shudders- I know I probably wouldn't even be sane after that type of ordeal...

lili--Me too! My mom won't let me date a guy until like, college. Says "guys are dangerous". -rolls eyes- O_O I think your first fic was great! Oh, and speaking of that, please update your fics! I'm dying to know what happens next! And I'll keep your advice in mind, thanks! I hope you like this chappie! ^_^

karigan--Thank you so much! It's such an honor to be on someone's favorites list!

Premium Fist---______-;; Thank you very much, friend.

blu sprite--Lol Ow! -brushing paperclips out of her eyes-

Tiger5913--Hmm...Sorry, but it might not necessarily be Yu-Gi...

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!.

Right...Let's get started, then!

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Searching for the Light
Chapter Three: Explanations...and Worse

Anzu slowly opened her eyes. She blinked a couple of times to clear her blurry vision. She sat up, taking in her surroundings. She was lying on a couch, with a blanket covering her. She was dressed in a white button-up shirt and jeans, both of which were slightly baggy for her.

'Where...am I?' Anzu turned her head, and with a start, recognized the sleeping form of Ryou next to her. His long white bangs partly covered his innocent eyes. He was sleeping soundly, half of his body draped over the couch. He was clutching Anzu's right hand. It was then that Anzu realized her hand was within Ryou's grasp. She quickly slipped her hand from his grip, blushing deeply.

'He looks so cute and angelic when he's sleeping...' Anzu found herself fantasizing about Ryou. She blushed an even deeper red and mentally berated herself for thinking such thoughts about her friend.

Ryou suddenly stirred, opening his eyes. He yawned slightly and stood up and stretched. Then, he was back by Anzu's side, staring at her with concerned hazel eyes. "Are you all right, Anzu?"

Anzu felt herself turn pink. "U-Um...Yeah...Thank you for saving me," Anzu stuttered in reply.

"You're welcome. Oh, and I called your mother and told her you were staying at a friend's house, so you don't need to worry about her." Ryou smiled sweetly, but then frowned slightly, remembering the dangerous incident last night...

~*Flashback*~

Ryou was out taking his usual nightly stroll around the park. The cool night breeze whipped his snowy white hair around.

"Help...!" he heard a familiar voice cry out. He stopped in his tracks, listening intently.

"Somebody, please help!!" the voice screamed again. Ryou instantly recognized the voice as his friend, Anzu. He began running franticly towards the source of the voice. Sure enough, he saw Anzu pinned to a tree by a large, bulky thug. The man was ripping Anzu's shirt apart, beginning to unhook her bra...

Without thinking, Ryou flung his fist at the assaulter, sending him onto the ground, unconscious. He then turned to look down at Anzu, who had slid down the tree to sob brokenly on the ground.

"Anzu! Are you all right?!" But Anzu only went unconscious also. She had a large red bruise on her cheek where Ryou guessed the rapist must've struck her. Frowning worriedly and angrily, he scooped the half-naked girl up in his arms and ran with her all the way back home.

~*End Flashback*~

"Anzu...?" Ryou asked slowly.

Anzu looked at him with inquisitive cerulean blue eyes. "Yes, Ryou...?"

~*Flashback*~

Ryou gasped as he saw the scars on Anzu's pale, thin arms. He would certainly have to discuss this with Anzu in the morning...Ryou went back to putting some clothes on Anzu. However, he couldn't help but notice her beautiful curves and the graceful features of her body. He blushed a deep crimson, and shook his head, silently scolding himself for thinking such thoughts about one of his friends.

~*End Flashback*~

Ryou turned slightly pink at the memory, but quickly brushed it off, putting a serious face. "Anzu...Why were you...cutting yourself?" he asked a bit hesitantly.

Anzu's eyes widened. 'Oh no...! He must've seen my arms because that creep ripped my shirt apart!' Anzu though in dismay. She knew better than to lie to Ryou, though, so she told him everything. About her mom, her turbulent emotions...everything.

Ryou sat and listened in utter shock. Anzu was always such a cheerful girl...He had no idea she was hiding such dark secrets. "A-Anzu...I'm so sorry...!"

Anzu sniffled and cracked a small smile. "It's okay, Ryou...I feel better by talking to you."

Ryou also smiled. "I'm glad..." His face turned serious. "Anzu...Please don't cut yourself anymore!"

Anzu got up from the couch and walked over to the front door. Ryou watched on in anxiety, waiting for her answer.

"Ryou...I appreciate your hospitality and kindness, but..." Anzu looked away from Ryou sadly. "I don't know if I can...I'm sorry. Goodbye..." She walked outside, closing the door behind her. Anzu closed her eyes, sighing deeply. Opening her eyes, she started walking back home...

- - -

Anzu opened the door, making it creak. She stepped in, closing it behind her. The silence was getting eerie...

"Mom? Is anybody home?" Anzu called out. Her voice seemed to echo dismally into the dark house. Anzu shivered and switched a light on. She then noticed a note on the kitchen counter. Walking over, she read it curiously.

Anzu,

I'm out shopping for groceries. I'll be back soon. By the way, I hope you had fun at your friend's house.

Love,

Mom

Just then, the phone rang, startling Anzu. She picked it up and greeted, "Hello, Anzu Mazaki speaking. May I help you?"

"Ah...Anzu," a kind woman--around her twenties, judging by her voice-- answered. "Anzu...I am very sorry to tell you this...but your mother is dead."

Anzu gasped, the phone slowly sliding out of her grasp.

~*~

Ahh...So the plot thickens! ^^;; Okay, I hope this chapter wasn't too screwed up..._ Ahhh!!! I totally destroyed Ryou's personality!!