A Change of Heart
By: In Fair Verona/Sibby
Summary: Bakura (Ryou) and Tea have had a serious and steady relationship for 1 year, and suddenly Bakura wants to call it off. How will he end the relationship without hurting her? Maybe his favorite card can help.
Rating: PG-13
Shipper: Bakura (Ryou) x Tea
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters, cards, settings, or basically anything else from Yu-Gi-Oh!
A/N: Hmm. It's kind of funny that so many people said it was Yami B who hurt Ryou. Well it's not as you will very soon find out. Although, I see why so many people see Yami B as an abusive character... in this fic he is more emotionally and pyschologically harming. You'll later find out that in this story Yami B prefers to have other people do his work for him rather than himself.
Reveiwers: Thanks to... DarkWings of Faith, lili, Blue-Kool-Aid, R Amythest, Anzu Mazaki, Mookie, KiKu, and Peppermint-Angel!
Tasha- Yami B is back for a teensy bit in this chapter. :)
Lynderia- Thankyou very much!
ANIME LOVER GIRL- Wow, I've never been anyone's idol before. That's really too much! Thankyou so much for your compliments!
white fang- It's good to know that my fic is gay gay gay gay...! ^_^
stellamilnes- I didn't mean to make you cry! :(
~*~*~
"Damn. I thought you weren't going to show up at school today."
"You're one to make assumptions. You don't know anything about me. Or Tea. Or what's going on between us."
"You mean what isn't going on, you little punk!" Tristan grabbed Ryou by the collar of his school uniform and pushed him up against the tiled wall of the school hallway. "I've been Tea's best friend as long as I can remember. You just stumbled into our lives one day, so don't think you know anything. It's time for you to stumble back out. I thought I taught you that yesterday."
"You're really driven Tristan..." Ryou said calmly, staring down at the bandaged hand grasping his collar. "This isn't any of your business though."
"It is now!"
"Tristan!" Joey yelled, running over to him and followed closely behind by Yugi. "Not again... Ryou why'd you come back!?" Joey shouted, waving his arms out infront of him.
Ryou bit on his lip. After what had happened yesterday, he really didn't want to come back to school today. He wanted to curl up in his bed, like a coward, and close his eyes, and pretend that life was perfect... no fighting, no school, no Bakura... But he had to talk to Tea. There was a bad feeling in his gut... other than the scar that Tristan left yesterday...
"Uh, excuse me Tristan." Ryou said quietly, slipping through the crowd. He felt someone grasp his sweater from behind and whipped around. "Tristan?"
"You hurt her. You broke her heart... and then had the nerve to... touch her like that!"
"Tristan, please let go of me. We can talk about this, I can explain..."
"There's nothing to talk about!" Tristan shouted, throwing Ryou into the wall. Ryou looked up, narrowing his eyes.
"I don't want to fight you!"
"Because you know you don't stand a chance." Tristan said emotionlessly, walking forward and kicking Ryou in the side.
"Tristan!" Yugi ran forward, grasping Tristan by the arm. "Tristan, you're going insane! Stop this right now!"
"No Yugi!" He easily flung Yugi off of him, turning on Ryou.
"Tristan, I'm more sorry for hurting her then you'll ever know! I never meant to!" Ryou pleaded, pressing his back against the wall. If he was lucky, maybe the wall would unfold behind him and let him escape into some secret passage to safety. Wishful thinking.
"Yo Tristan! Back off!" Joey said, stepping forward. "You're being unreasonable. Ryou's like one of our friends, we've all been through alot together. This isn't right!"
"Stop preaching to me Joey! This doesn't involve you!"
"It doesn't involve you either Tristan!" Yugi yelled over the murmurs of students gathering around them all. "You're letting your feeling get in the way!"
"Feelings?" Ryou whispered under his breath, furrowing his brow. What had Yugi meant by that? Seeing it as an oppurtunity to get away, Ryou silently began to slide away along the wall while Tristan was distracted.
"Hey!" Tristan turned around and ran at Ryou, punching him in the gut with his curled up hand. Ryou stumbled back onto the floor, coughing on his knees and gasping for the breath that was knocked out him.
"Don't." Ryou said, shaking his head and looking up at Tristan. "Don't!" Just as Tristan made another swing at Ryou, something happened. Something that caused Ryou to jerked his foot up, kicking Tristan's hand into the water fountain next to them and causing water to squirt up. Tristan pried his hand away and held onto it dearly. The water fountain had a big indention of a fist slammed into the side. While Tristan was yet again distracted, Ryou made a run for it and dashed down the hallway...
"You won't get away this time. We're going to settle this here. Now."
"No! I don't want to fight you! Don't you get it? I don't want to hurt anyone!" Ryou said pleadingly, trying to pry himself out of Tristan's hold. "Let go of me!" For the second time, that strange force that had repelled Tristan away the day before took charge again and Tristan went flying into the opposite wall with a mere shove from Ryou. Ryou looked down at his hands questioningly. Surely he was not responsible for that... or the kick... or...
"Tea!" Yugi exclaimed. Everyone's head turned and stared at her. She had changed into new clothes and brushed her hair, but it did nothing to hide the tears streaming down her face now. "Tea what's wrong?"
"Yugi... Joey..." Tea whimpered, rubbing her eyes. She looked past them at Tristan, who was standing up and rubbing his shoulders. Letting out a stiffled cry she ran past both of them and into Tristan's arms, burying her head into his shoulder and sobbing mercilessly. Ryou stood there and watched... watched as his arms encircled her and a dark glance was shot into his direction.
"Oh...my." Ryou whispered, staring at them with wide eyes.
"You're letting your feeling get in the way!"
"His feelings..." Ryou ran a hand through his hair, as if he had just found the answers to one of life's greatest mysteries, and it had been standing there infront of him the entire time. Tristan... was in love with Tea! "Uh." Ryou felt a queasy feeling take over him. He was going to vomit, or pass out, or do something unhealthy... He pushed past the crowd as fast as his legs could carry him, turning the corner quickly and sprinting down a deserted hallway until he ran into someone and toppled down to the floor.
"Aww. Did Ryou finally come to realize the obvious?" Bakura said in a mocking baby tone. "You poor pathetic thing. Look at you! All ruffled up!"
"Shut....up." Ryou said, standing up and smoothing off his sweater. "I should've known why nothing suspicous happened last night... you knew about this... about him!"
"Of course I did. I figured I could just lay back and relax and let that other boy do all my work. It might've been interesting had I gotten to posses him instead... at least he could actually throw a decent punch without anyone's help."
"W-without anyone's help?" Ryou repeated, furrowing his brow. "You... you possesed me when I kicked his hand... and when I pushed him?"
"Not necessarily 'possessed'. Heh heh. With Tea gone our bond is getting stronger and stronger. The closer she gets to Tristan, the more you'll despise them all. There won't be a problem getting the Millenium Puzzle anymore! Because now I can simply lend you my strength if I wanted to, and not only that... if need be... I could use all my energy to possess you completely, control you like a puppet... no resistance at all." Bakura smirked.
"What? You can't! You wouldn't!"
"I won't have to if you be a good slave and behave. No foolish secret meetings with Tea... you know nothing can stay a secret from me. If I were you, I'd start getting it through your head like I told you before... forget about her completely. Or I may have to make you forget..."
"I... want to...to..."
"To what? Kill me? We both know that's impossible. While this ring remains around your neck, which believe me, it will... I have power over you. Not that you could do anything to harm me anyway. You can't even defend yourself, you can't even fight back without my help!"
"Stop it! Stop taunting me!" Ryou yelled, closing his eyes to block the tears that were about to drip down his face. He sank to his knees then took a deep breath to calm himself down.
"What's the matter with you?" Ryou looked up and his eyes widened.
"Kaiba?"
"I tried to warn you, didn't I? I thought you'd be smart enough to take my advice but I guess I was wrong, which is a rarity."
"This was the 3rd time Tristan's tried to kill me, you'd think I'd learn."
"Ha. Ryou, what you need to do is grow up. You're always pitying yourself like a fool. I'm not sure what exactly it is you're trying to do by breaking up with Tea when you're obviously still infatuated with her, but here's a hint from me. A woman doesn't need a man who hides behind her... Maybe this time you'll listen to me." Seto crossed his arms, and looked off in the distance. "I'll see you in class." He muttered, walking away. Ryou looked over his shoulder, watching the other boy walk down the hallway. Had Seto Kaiba, the Seto Kaiba, just give him love advice!? He must be seriously desperate for a friend... Maybe it wouldn't hurt to take Seto's advice... not for Tea, or Bakura, but for himself.
"Ryou!" Rikku jumped up from the desk she was sitting on and ran to the door as it opened. Her expression changed quickly, and she backed away to let Tea walk in. "Oh, hi Tea."
"Hm." Tea nodded in acknowledgement, walking past her solemnly and sitting inside her desk.
"Uh... are you allright?" Rikku asked, tilting her head curiously. Tea just shrugged in response. "Uh..." Rikku paused, not really knowing what to say at the moment. She heard the door open again and turned around quickly, her long hair smacking Tea in the face. "Ryou- Ah!" She was so shocked as the door opened and Kaiba walked in that she practically fell backwards in surprise. Quickly, Seto grasped her by the arm and pulled her back up to her feet then walked away silently. "Uh... thanks."
"Be more careful where you frolic next time." Seto muttered in response. Rikku frowned and placed her hands on her hips.
"I'm trying to be nice and thank you but if that's the attitude I get then forget it!"
"Allright I will." Seto shrugged. Rikku gasped, crossing her arms over her chest. "What's the matter now?"
"You need an attitude adjustment, try to be a little brighter sometime!"
"I will once you start being less biast." Seto snapped, narrowing his eyes at her. Rikku opened her mouth to retort but then closed it quickly upon finding an abscence of words. Tea looked up at the ranting pair in curiousity, involuntarily quirking her brow and glancing intently at them. Seto snapped a cold look towards Tea and she immediately glanced away, looking at the door just as it swung open. Ryou popped his shaggy white head inside, followed by the rest of his body. Tea smiled sincerely at him, trying desperately not to make it any wider. She was supposed to be mad at him yesterday... but once they were alone... she felt no resentment at all. He was just as caring as he always had been, and she couldn't find it in her heart to give him the cold shoulder.
"Ryou!" Rikku exclaimed, breathing a sigh of relief. She pushed past Seto and jumped up on the tip of her toes. "Come on, we've got to go get started on some more of this research!" She said brightly, clapping her hands together. "I did lots of research!" Ryou nodded and then cast a glance towards Tea. His curiousity was on its knees praying to know what Tea's parents had said. He just wanted to know... mainly just so that he could comfort her just incase she might need that comforting.
"Ryou..." Tea pushed back some brown hair from behind her back and looked up at him. "Um, about this morning..."
"Ryou, c'mon!" Rikku whined nodding her head in the direction of their seats.
"Uh, it was nothing. I just hope everything is okay with your family."
"Well-"
"Ryou!" Rikku clutched his arm tightly and looked up at him with huge glossy eyes.
"Maybe I'll talk to you about it later." Tea said, flickering her eyes up at Rikku in discomfort.
"Yeah." Ryou nodded. "In the um, library... after school."
"Sounds good." Tea agreed. Ryou forced a smile and walked off with Rikku.
"Now that you're done making mushy faces at Ryou and so forth, we can do some of our research." Seto said, sitting down next to her.
"I was only waiting on you Seto." Tea said softly, pulling out a notebook and pen. Kaiba laid his briefcase on his desk and then propped it open. He pulled out an old dusty leather bound book that looked quite ancient. He also shuffled out some various papers and then closed his briefcase, looking at her intently.
"Egypt."
"Egypt?" Tea repeated, tilting her head to the side.
"My ancestors decended from Egypt. Ancient Egypt."
"Well that shouldn't be hard to research, since we just finished learning about it."
"You think you learned about Ancient Egypt from what that frizzy red poof taught us?" Seto chuckled, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he glanced over his shoulder at their go lucky teacher strutting around the classroom.
"Wait, I thought you liked history..." Tea trailed off, furrowing her brow.
"I like the intricate details that are always skimmed over because of professors and wanna be historians who are to puzzled to place those little pieces where they belong. The dirty secrets, rare facts wasted away. Things you can't find in your average textbook. Speculations that cause... controversy." He pushed the thick leather book onto Tea's desk infront of it, wiping the dust off of the gold printed text on the cover. Ancient Egypt: The Secrets of the Pharoh. For an instant Tea thought of Yugi and Yami and how they might benefit from this, but Seto quickly put her mind back on track. "There are only 2 copies in print in the entire world. This is one of them. It's quite informative, I think you may find it interesting." Tea simply nodded and stared at the book transfixedly.
"My great great great grandfather was the one who immigrated from Egypt in 1835. Of course, you'll find the more interesting facts way back B.C. Accordingly, my ancestors were from a line of very powerful wizards."
"Right, because they couldn't just be wizards." Tea laughed nervously. "They had to be very powerful wizards."
"You might not want to mock me. Senorita."
"Not funny." Tea scowled. She pulled out a book she checked out from the library. Latin: Behind the History and the Culture. "I suppose there's about a million copies. This is one of them."
"Don't you want this project to be original? To wreak with the stentch of detail and overachievement?"
"Actually Seto I don't want this project to wreak at all."
"Well I do." Seto said with a smirk.
"Seto, this is the restricted section!" Tea exclaimed, looking around at the stacks of books.
"Your point? It's not restricted to multi-billionaire intellectual computer prodigies." Seto said, looking through the shelves. "There's our target. Ancient Literature." They walked into the isle and Seto reached up to the top, pulling out an even thicker book than his on Ancient Egypt. The title was written in Latin, words that Tea couldn't quite comprehend. "Our work is done."
"Well... I guess I know where to look if I'm ever assigned another project with a obsessive intellectual genius."
"I'll take that as a compliment. I'll be taking this as well." He grabbed the book and they walked out of the restricted section. "Hey aren't you supposed to be meeting Ryou?"
"Oh my gods! I almost forgot! I'd better go look for him. See you later!"
"Read my book!" Seto yelled after her, making his way to the check out counter.
"Hmm, I hope I didn't miss him. I really want to talk to him." Tea mumbled to herself, walking towards the library's entrance. She pulled open the front doors of the library and stumbled outside, catching her balance on the edge of a nearby locker. Her gaze drifted to the back of the black/green/blonde haired girl talking excitedly infront of her and the white haired romeo beside her. Tea backed herself against the side of the locker, partially hiding herself from view. The pair were staring and talking animatedly about a poster on the wall which was blocked from Tea's sight.
"Wow. A Valentine's Dance! Sounds fun, don't you think Ryou?"
"I suppose."
"You don't sound very excited. It'd be fun though, to get out and dance."
"Yeah. I suppose we could go."
"Ryou, I'll make sure you'll have a real fun time. It'll be worth it." Rikku said, placing a hand on Ryou's shoulder.
"That... whore..." Tea trailed off, narrowing her eyes at them. She turned around and leaned against the locker letting out a deep breath. So her speculations about Ryou were right all along... in fact, the only reason Ryou had been so nice the night before was probably because he got a cheap feel! After all, he did have to carry her onto the couch and then when she woke up he was practically on top of her! That's all that he was! A perverted lecher and when he realized that he wasn't going to get any from her, that's when he dumped her... "But it just doesn't sound like Ryou." Tea whispered to herself. Something in the back of her head... no, the back of her heart just refused to beleive it. Even when all signs pointed towards that conclusion... "This morning he seemed to sweet... so sweet it hurts. It could all be an act though... No it can't! It's like there's two sides to him..." Tea mumbled to herself, holding her head in her hands. She wiped her eyes and then stepped forward away from the locker. Ryou and Rikku were still talking but Tea had tuned out long ago. She quickly paced away from them, coming closer and closer to the doors that exitted the school and pushing them open widely. She held back more tears as she walked outside and looked around the students bustling everywhere. She couldn't be pushed around anymore by Ryou's multiple personalities... she wouldn't be pushed back and forth between their strange relationship on the verge of non-existent and still there. Someone needed to make up their mind... and Tea would be the first to make a decision.
~*~*~
Not my best chapter. But like every chapter- very necessary for something else to come. Not much commentary to add this time. I hope you like it! Anyway... this typing it just to fill up space.
If anyone cares I took a quiz to see what type of writer I am and the result was a "dark writer" who likes to provoke their readers rather than a romantic writer or hopeless romantic. Which is really weird because I see myself as sort of both. But then again... while this fic has been romantic... at the same time, it's been depressing so there you go. Yep. This was all to fill up space. ^_^ Goodnight guys.
~Sibby