Here we are!! *bounces* Did you miss me!? ^_^() Anyway... Sorry about
not posting. I had told you my reason for two nights ago... Got home
late. As for last night, I was at my best friend's house. We went to a
little Duel Monsters tournament today! *bounces again* Hmmm...
Considering I've never competed in one before and the fact that the guy
that one first place had all the pieces of Exodia... Yeah, I think I did
pretty good having gotten into the final four.
*beams*
And I now have all of the Destiny Board cards!!!! *dances* Me's gots Bakura cards!!!
Bakura: *glaring* What are you doing with my cards in your deck!?
*snickers*
So me is in such a good mood I think I'll post this chapter now and then ANOTHER one later tonight! Do you like that idea!? *bounces off to write her end notes now*
~*~*~*~
Chapter 14: Piecing Things Together
Ryou walked around the back of the house, glancing around for his yami. His breathing was heavy from having ran most of the way home. Seeing the mass of broken clay pots, he groaned. There was no sign of Bakura, though, which worried Ryou.
"Bakura?" he called. At first he got no response, but then he heard the sound of someone moving on the wet ground.
"Ryou?" Came Bakura's questioning voice from behind the tool shed.
Ryou dashed over to the shed and found his yami sitting on the ground with his back to the wall. Bakura looked up at him and then climbed to his feet. He regarded his hikari absently. "You left early to come help me, didn't you?"
Ryou lowered his eyes. "Well... Yes."
Bakura's eyes held annoyance and suspicion. "And how exactly did you know I was in trouble?"
"... Just a feeling." Ryou shrugged and took his yami by the arm. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up, okay?" he said as he pulled him towards the house.
Bakura pulled his arm away, but continued to follow. "Ryou." He said forcibly. "How did you find out?"
"We were just at Yugi's watching some movies. Nothing exciting or anything. Figured I might as well come home."
"Aibou!"
Ryou remained silent as he fumbled for the key to the backdoor. He unlocked the door and held it open for Bakura, who stood where he was, arms crossed. Glaring.
Sighing, Ryou shrugged. "Okay... So someone might have called..."
"Someone?"
"Yeah, someone." There was a silence before Ryou sighed. "Yes, alright? It was Isis. She told me not to tell you. Now can we please get you taken care of?"
Bakura stood silently for another moment before entering the house. Ryou sighed, following him inside. "Take a shower and get into some dry clothes, okay? Then I'll bandage your hands."
Without a word, Bakura went upstairs to the bathroom to do as Ryou said. He felt worthless. Pathetic. This will be twice in as many weeks that Ryou had to take care of him and bandage his wounds. He hated feeling weak.
~~~
"How's that? It isn't too tight is it?" Ryou asked, inspecting the recently finished bandaging job. Bakura didn't say anything, which Ryou took to mean that it was a job well done. "I'm going to start something to eat... You want anything?"
Bakura just shrugged, studying the gauze pads and medical taped that covered his hands. Ryou hadn't quite been sure how to go about bandaging them, the one being so badly cut up and everything. But this appeared to be working alright.
Ryou sighed and went downstairs to the kitchen. Bakura remained behind for a few minutes before following down the stairs. He was almost into the living room when there was a knock on the door. Bakura turned and started towards it to open it, but it swung open before he'd taken two steps.
"Bakura!" Malik cried happily, standing just outside the door. "Great to see you out and about again!" Then his features melted into concern. "Are you alright? Isis told me what happened..."
Bakura growled angrily and slammed the door, pretty much in Malik's face. "Why has my life suddenly stopped being my own!?" he yelled as he stormed upstairs to Ryou's bedroom.
Ryou rushed out of the kitchen and stopped at the bottom of the stairs in time to see his bedroom door slam shut. He certainly heard it, too, as well as felt the vibrations. Bakura was very angry... He sighed and turned to the front door, which Malik had cracked open again and was peeking around, almost timidly.
"Um... He certainly looks like he's doing better..." Malik commented, pushing the door open more and standing in the doorway.
Ryou nodded glumly. "But appearances are deceiving... He may be alright physically, but he still isn't himself..."
Malik frowned. "How about you Ryou? How are you holding out through all of this?"
"I-I'm fine." Ryou swallowed, not sure whether to mention the fact that Bakura had thrown something at him earlier. "He may be even more unpredictable than usual and everything, but I can handle it."
Malik nodded. "I just wish we could find out what's wrong with him. Why won't he tell us?"
Ryou sighed and motioned for Malik to come in. Malik closed the door after himself and followed Ryou into the living room. "You should know just as well as- if not better than- I do... He's very proud..." Ryou muttered as they sat on the couch. "He won't tell us, because he thinks he should be able to take care of himself..."
Malik nodded. "Well yeah... And usually he can."
"But he sure isn't doing a very good job of it this time... I can't think of what could be wrong. He's been like this since that fight at your house..."
"Think he's just sore about how badly my yami beat him?"
"No... He's admitted his defeat in that matter... I think it's something else." Ryou sighed and propped his elbows on his knees, his chin cupped in his hands, giving him a look of utter helplessness. "Can you think of anything else that happened?"
Malik's countenance gained annoyance. "I was out cold for the whole thing you know..."
"Oh... Yeah..." Ryou was silent for a moment. "But... I thought you might have heard something from Isis or Mariku."
"I haven't, no. Though perhaps I should ask more about it."
There was a silence as Malik looked around, wrinkling his nose. Finally, he looked down at Ryou. "Do you smell something burning?"
Ryou's eyes went wide. "Great Scott!" he cried as he jumped to his feet and dashed from the room.
Malik couldn't help but laugh. Standing, he walked toward the front door. "Good bye Ryou." He called, opening the front door. After pausing a moment, he turned and looked up at the door to Ryou's room. "Hey Bakura!" He called loudly. Then, in his smooth, crisp voice, loud without being a shout, he spoke something in Egyptian. He lingered a moment as though waiting to see if he'd get a response, before turning and leaving.
Bakura opened the door to Ryou's room. He seemed unsure of whether he wished to stay there or go back downstairs. Finally, he sighed, trudging down the stairs and walking towards the kitchen. He leaned against the doorframe, watching absently as Ryou dug through the fridge.
The saucepan in the sink and the soup covering the stovetop clued Bakura in on what had happened. "You shouldn't leave a covered pot of soup on the stove unattended. It'll boil over." He said in a mock annoyed-Ryou voice. (((And yes... This is written from past experience... * How many times have I had tomato soup do this to me? 3? 4? ~_~)))
Ryou looked up at him and rolled his eyes. "Yeah... Now you remember that. After doing just that around seven times."
Bakura shrugged. "Things like that are always easier to remember when you can say them back to the person who nags you with them. It's the way things work. You should know that."
Ryou nodded. "Anyway, plan two for supper... I'm making a sandwich... Here." Ryou tossed Bakura a plastic container.
Raising an eyebrow, Bakura opened it. He raised an eyebrow, unable to contain the instinctive grin.
"I got that for you the other day. Just... Please try not to get any blood on the table this time..." Ryou pleaded as he pulled out some deli meat.
Bakura nodded as he carried the container, which held some very bloody, raw steaks, over to the table. He sat down, staring at them. He wasn't really even in the mood for this... But he knew Ryou was just making attempting to cheer him up, so he picked up a fork and stabbed one of the steaks.
"So..." Ryou asked as he fixed his sandwich at the kitchen counter. "What exactly did Malik say before he left?"
"Roughly translated, it means..." Bakura trailed off and was silent for a moment before finishing. "I wish peace in your heart... Find what you are looking for."
~~~
"I know you don't want to talk about it, but it might be helpful to know. Perhaps if we can figure out what's wrong with him than we can help. And he sure isn't going to tell us freely." Malik stated in annoyance.
Isis studied her brother. "Why would I want to help him? He's just been a jerk to me almost every time I've ever seen him."
Malik stifled a laugh. "Yeah... You mean like when you ended up sleeping on top of him?"
Isis glared at her brother. "Why don't you just shut up? Nothing happened and I don't care what happens to him!"
Malik growled. "Well, you do care, or else you wouldn't have called Ryou."
Isis was silent, unable to think of a response. She glanced down at her brother, who was smirking expectantly up at her. "Oh alright!" Isis huffed, plopping down on the couch next to Malik. "Where do you want me to start?"
"I don't know. Just the relevant stuff. Did you notice him acting weird or anything like that on your date?"
"For the last time, it was NOT a date!" Isis grumbled, but she thought about it. "He seemed a lot nicer than I'd have expected. Even sweet at times. I thought we had a fun afternoon as friends, but gee was I wrong. The creep..."
Malik swallowed. Did that mean she knew the truth? But no... That would make her just as, if not more, angry at him than she is with Bakura. "What do you mean?" he asked, playing innocent.
"He just wanted to get his kicks. He had a good laugh at my expense no doubt."
Malik raised an eyebrow. "What makes you say that?"
"When I asked him if he was just trying to ruin my life, he responded with 'I have to get my giggles somehow or another.' I think that's pretty fair proof."
Malik sighed. "He was hurt and angry. Do you really think that he'd have responded kindly to being accused of ruining someone's life?"
Isis was silent. She was thinking about her encounter with Bakura earlier that day... Something he'd said... It had felt important, but she couldn't think of what it could be...
"Okay, so you accused him of ruining your life, he made his comment... What happened next?"
"Well, nothing really. He left after that. Mariku took you upstairs and Mariku and I broke up." Isis waved her hand in a gesture of dismissal, showing she was done with the conversation.
Malik thought for a moment. Then his eyes widened slightly. "Wait a minute... If that had been the end of it, he would have gone straight home, but Ryou said he was late getting back and had been wandering around aimlessly. I wonder... What did you and Mariku say when you broke up?"
Isis glared at him, standing. "That's none of your business, and it's not important anyway. He'd already left. He wouldn't have heard any of it."
"Isis... It was a rather chilly morning... Where was Bakura's shirt?" Malik pressed.
"..." She looked at Malik, who smiled smugly. "Ra..." She sat back down on the couch. "So you think he came back for the shirt?"
"Probably didn't get to far before realizing it was gone, either."
Isis nodded. "Well... We accused and insulted each other... Mariku wouldn't believe me when I said nothing happened and nothing ever would." She hesitated.
"Is that it?"
"No... I said that Bakura wasn't too great to look at with his shirt off." As she attempted to ignore Malik's bemused gaze, her mind ran through what she had said to Mariku and then her conversation earlier that day with Bakura. "And I said I'd be happier if I never saw him..."
"I AM a yami after all. You'd probably be happier to never see me again!"
Isis' expression was haunted. Malik frowned, watching as she put a hand over her heart. "Sis... You okay?"
"This pain..." she whispered, her hand slowly clenching into a fist, gathering some of the fabric of her dress into her balled fist. "Just like after my fight with Mariku... It's Bakura... He heard what I'd said and it hurt him... But... Why would it?" Her expression grew cold, her eyes flashing in anger. "Why would it hurt him, and why would I care that it does?"
She stood and strode from the room, her mind racing wildly. She felt confused and uncertain, and she didn't like that. Nor did she want her brother to know just how messed up she felt. So she kept an air of indignation. Defiance. Repeating the question to herself over and over again. *Why would he care? Why should I care?*
Malik watched her leave the room silently. When she was gone, he slumped back against the back of the couch. "Bakura... You stupid fool... You weren't supposed to fall in love with her..."
~*~*~*~
TWEE HEE!!! Malik knows! Malik knows!! *dances, laughing insanely* MWA HA HA HAAAAA!!!!
*cough* Anyway...
So whadda ya think? Everyone's so worried about Bakura!!! *snugs*
*cries suddenly* My mom just reminded me that I have to go to the oral surgeon's Monday to get my wisdom teeth cut out!!! *bawls*
Ryou: *tugs on Silverscreamer's shirt sleeve* It'll be alright... *hugs* And... Can I try talking to the reviewers today?
*nods* Okies. But I'll still make my own comments to... (They'll be in parentheses.)
Reviewerness!!!
IrishJade: *Pats you on the shoulder* It'll be alright. We all know that that's just the way my yami is. But you know that Silverscreamer won't leave you with a bad ending, right? (*sigh* Too much complaining if I do otherwise...)
KeMu: As you can see, no more confrontation between Bakura and Mariku... *looks at Silverscreamer, who gives a single nod* Actually, Mariku isn't really in it much anymore... Or at all I don't think...
Red Prophet: Bakura is prone to doing stupid things isn't he? *Bakura glares* Er... No offense or anything, yami... But no, he was just sitting out there. And I got him all taken care of. *Pats Bakura on the shoulder*
KurianGirl: Understanding between Isis and Bakura... *smiles* It's coming... eventually.
Reign of Isis4559: Yeah. Bad Mariku. *glances around to make sure that Mariku didn't hear him* But yeah, they broke up. Leaves room for my yami to move right in... That is... If they would both stop being so stubborn! *is glared at by both Isis and Bakura* That is to say... I mean... No offense? (~_~() poor sweet little albino... *pats Ryou on the head.* BTW, thank you much, I'm really glad you liked the workout. Perhaps it's just that I could see the scene in my mind and the words on the paper- or computer screen- just didn't feel right...) You'll just have to wait and see if they end up together. Though, like I said, Silverscreamer wouldn't leave you with a bad ending would she? (*grumbles about a certain someone from school who whines and complains every time she writes a sad story with a 'bad'- yeah... right...- ending.* I'm sorry... but not everyone ends up living happily ever after...)
Cieska: That's great! It's good to have something to look forward to when you get home, isn't it? For Silverscreamer it's always straight to the computer. She's just a little addicted to the internet. (I am not! Not addicted really... I could stay off the net if I wanted, but then what would become of my beloved fans who want more of my story!?) Right, Silverscreamer... You just keep telling yourself that... *whispers so the authoress won't hear* You know that she's making stuff up when she starts talking about 'her beloved fans' because she usually hates the idea of such things. Not that she doesn't love hearing that people like her stuff, just that she doesn't think she's all that good. (*having heard every word anyway, she sighs* Well I'm not...) ~_~()
Dragon Spirits: Glad you liked it! Hope you enjoy the rest of the fic! I'm in the next chapter more. *beams*
Lily of the Shadow: *nods* My poor yami. Hearing that really hurt him. He really does care. Of course, in the story I don't really know this yet... I learn next chapter though! And... Malik has some odd means of getting Bakura to talk to him... (Yes, that was a bit of a teaser for next chapter! And Malik does have very odd ways of going about things...)
Umeko the Beatnik Emu: ... *blushes* (Okay... I'll take this one over... Don't think Ryou wants to think about his yami's sexy chest. Guess it's too much like you're commenting on him... Although Ryou's too adorable for you to focus on something like having a sexy chest! *glomps Ryou* Anyway... Yeah... Bakura cartwheeling... *shivers*)
Anjiru: Yeah? I can't see my yami with Anzu[Tea]... (Me either... I... Don't think I like that thought... but to each their own my friend. *smiles* And thank you. I think you're the first person to comment actually on my style of writing...) But that's cool that Silverscreamer can make you start to like something else just from you reading her story. *smiles* Hope you enjoy the rest of the story!
Maori: *blinku* Yeah, she is really a really aweso- (*glomps Ryou* Now now... Don't be a liar... *smiles* I'm glad you like... But it isn't really that good is it? Besides, you shouldn't kill your boyfriend... Even if he doesn't exist. ~_~() Ah well... Such is the life of a single woman, eh? *shrugs and grins* All the same, I am very glad that you are enjoying the story.) Hope to see another review from you!
lynx wings: *nods* Yes, that does just about say it all... Poor him... Poor her...
Crissy the Amazing: You are so perceptive! (Awesome! High five! *holds hand out then blinks and withdraws it* Er... Yeah... That is, if this weren't just something that you're reading that I wrote who knows how long before you actually are reading it... Anyway! Back to Ryou.) Again, it's hard to picture my yami with Anzu, but I suppose that's alright. And yes, the angst is very nice isn't it? And the humor that Silverscreamer throws in is just wonderful. The slight, stiff humor in the midst of the angst and then the bloopers... It's really cool, neh? (*sigh* Ryou, can't you just not compliment me for once? *smiles and chuckles* Thank you though, I guess it's cool that you think I'm a great writier.)
Ryou smiles and hugs Silverscreamer before wandering off.
*smiles* He so cute! ^_^() Well I guess that's it for now. I'll see about whether I have time to post another chapter tonight... It would actually probably work for the best if I can... Cause then that's chapter 15 tonight, and 16 Sunday night... That would make me done before the wisdom teeth thing... Cause who knows how long it'll take me to get feeling better after that, huh?
Anyway... Enjoy the bloopers!!! There are... Um... Very... rather very... few of them this time...
*beams*
And I now have all of the Destiny Board cards!!!! *dances* Me's gots Bakura cards!!!
Bakura: *glaring* What are you doing with my cards in your deck!?
*snickers*
So me is in such a good mood I think I'll post this chapter now and then ANOTHER one later tonight! Do you like that idea!? *bounces off to write her end notes now*
~*~*~*~
Chapter 14: Piecing Things Together
Ryou walked around the back of the house, glancing around for his yami. His breathing was heavy from having ran most of the way home. Seeing the mass of broken clay pots, he groaned. There was no sign of Bakura, though, which worried Ryou.
"Bakura?" he called. At first he got no response, but then he heard the sound of someone moving on the wet ground.
"Ryou?" Came Bakura's questioning voice from behind the tool shed.
Ryou dashed over to the shed and found his yami sitting on the ground with his back to the wall. Bakura looked up at him and then climbed to his feet. He regarded his hikari absently. "You left early to come help me, didn't you?"
Ryou lowered his eyes. "Well... Yes."
Bakura's eyes held annoyance and suspicion. "And how exactly did you know I was in trouble?"
"... Just a feeling." Ryou shrugged and took his yami by the arm. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up, okay?" he said as he pulled him towards the house.
Bakura pulled his arm away, but continued to follow. "Ryou." He said forcibly. "How did you find out?"
"We were just at Yugi's watching some movies. Nothing exciting or anything. Figured I might as well come home."
"Aibou!"
Ryou remained silent as he fumbled for the key to the backdoor. He unlocked the door and held it open for Bakura, who stood where he was, arms crossed. Glaring.
Sighing, Ryou shrugged. "Okay... So someone might have called..."
"Someone?"
"Yeah, someone." There was a silence before Ryou sighed. "Yes, alright? It was Isis. She told me not to tell you. Now can we please get you taken care of?"
Bakura stood silently for another moment before entering the house. Ryou sighed, following him inside. "Take a shower and get into some dry clothes, okay? Then I'll bandage your hands."
Without a word, Bakura went upstairs to the bathroom to do as Ryou said. He felt worthless. Pathetic. This will be twice in as many weeks that Ryou had to take care of him and bandage his wounds. He hated feeling weak.
~~~
"How's that? It isn't too tight is it?" Ryou asked, inspecting the recently finished bandaging job. Bakura didn't say anything, which Ryou took to mean that it was a job well done. "I'm going to start something to eat... You want anything?"
Bakura just shrugged, studying the gauze pads and medical taped that covered his hands. Ryou hadn't quite been sure how to go about bandaging them, the one being so badly cut up and everything. But this appeared to be working alright.
Ryou sighed and went downstairs to the kitchen. Bakura remained behind for a few minutes before following down the stairs. He was almost into the living room when there was a knock on the door. Bakura turned and started towards it to open it, but it swung open before he'd taken two steps.
"Bakura!" Malik cried happily, standing just outside the door. "Great to see you out and about again!" Then his features melted into concern. "Are you alright? Isis told me what happened..."
Bakura growled angrily and slammed the door, pretty much in Malik's face. "Why has my life suddenly stopped being my own!?" he yelled as he stormed upstairs to Ryou's bedroom.
Ryou rushed out of the kitchen and stopped at the bottom of the stairs in time to see his bedroom door slam shut. He certainly heard it, too, as well as felt the vibrations. Bakura was very angry... He sighed and turned to the front door, which Malik had cracked open again and was peeking around, almost timidly.
"Um... He certainly looks like he's doing better..." Malik commented, pushing the door open more and standing in the doorway.
Ryou nodded glumly. "But appearances are deceiving... He may be alright physically, but he still isn't himself..."
Malik frowned. "How about you Ryou? How are you holding out through all of this?"
"I-I'm fine." Ryou swallowed, not sure whether to mention the fact that Bakura had thrown something at him earlier. "He may be even more unpredictable than usual and everything, but I can handle it."
Malik nodded. "I just wish we could find out what's wrong with him. Why won't he tell us?"
Ryou sighed and motioned for Malik to come in. Malik closed the door after himself and followed Ryou into the living room. "You should know just as well as- if not better than- I do... He's very proud..." Ryou muttered as they sat on the couch. "He won't tell us, because he thinks he should be able to take care of himself..."
Malik nodded. "Well yeah... And usually he can."
"But he sure isn't doing a very good job of it this time... I can't think of what could be wrong. He's been like this since that fight at your house..."
"Think he's just sore about how badly my yami beat him?"
"No... He's admitted his defeat in that matter... I think it's something else." Ryou sighed and propped his elbows on his knees, his chin cupped in his hands, giving him a look of utter helplessness. "Can you think of anything else that happened?"
Malik's countenance gained annoyance. "I was out cold for the whole thing you know..."
"Oh... Yeah..." Ryou was silent for a moment. "But... I thought you might have heard something from Isis or Mariku."
"I haven't, no. Though perhaps I should ask more about it."
There was a silence as Malik looked around, wrinkling his nose. Finally, he looked down at Ryou. "Do you smell something burning?"
Ryou's eyes went wide. "Great Scott!" he cried as he jumped to his feet and dashed from the room.
Malik couldn't help but laugh. Standing, he walked toward the front door. "Good bye Ryou." He called, opening the front door. After pausing a moment, he turned and looked up at the door to Ryou's room. "Hey Bakura!" He called loudly. Then, in his smooth, crisp voice, loud without being a shout, he spoke something in Egyptian. He lingered a moment as though waiting to see if he'd get a response, before turning and leaving.
Bakura opened the door to Ryou's room. He seemed unsure of whether he wished to stay there or go back downstairs. Finally, he sighed, trudging down the stairs and walking towards the kitchen. He leaned against the doorframe, watching absently as Ryou dug through the fridge.
The saucepan in the sink and the soup covering the stovetop clued Bakura in on what had happened. "You shouldn't leave a covered pot of soup on the stove unattended. It'll boil over." He said in a mock annoyed-Ryou voice. (((And yes... This is written from past experience... * How many times have I had tomato soup do this to me? 3? 4? ~_~)))
Ryou looked up at him and rolled his eyes. "Yeah... Now you remember that. After doing just that around seven times."
Bakura shrugged. "Things like that are always easier to remember when you can say them back to the person who nags you with them. It's the way things work. You should know that."
Ryou nodded. "Anyway, plan two for supper... I'm making a sandwich... Here." Ryou tossed Bakura a plastic container.
Raising an eyebrow, Bakura opened it. He raised an eyebrow, unable to contain the instinctive grin.
"I got that for you the other day. Just... Please try not to get any blood on the table this time..." Ryou pleaded as he pulled out some deli meat.
Bakura nodded as he carried the container, which held some very bloody, raw steaks, over to the table. He sat down, staring at them. He wasn't really even in the mood for this... But he knew Ryou was just making attempting to cheer him up, so he picked up a fork and stabbed one of the steaks.
"So..." Ryou asked as he fixed his sandwich at the kitchen counter. "What exactly did Malik say before he left?"
"Roughly translated, it means..." Bakura trailed off and was silent for a moment before finishing. "I wish peace in your heart... Find what you are looking for."
~~~
"I know you don't want to talk about it, but it might be helpful to know. Perhaps if we can figure out what's wrong with him than we can help. And he sure isn't going to tell us freely." Malik stated in annoyance.
Isis studied her brother. "Why would I want to help him? He's just been a jerk to me almost every time I've ever seen him."
Malik stifled a laugh. "Yeah... You mean like when you ended up sleeping on top of him?"
Isis glared at her brother. "Why don't you just shut up? Nothing happened and I don't care what happens to him!"
Malik growled. "Well, you do care, or else you wouldn't have called Ryou."
Isis was silent, unable to think of a response. She glanced down at her brother, who was smirking expectantly up at her. "Oh alright!" Isis huffed, plopping down on the couch next to Malik. "Where do you want me to start?"
"I don't know. Just the relevant stuff. Did you notice him acting weird or anything like that on your date?"
"For the last time, it was NOT a date!" Isis grumbled, but she thought about it. "He seemed a lot nicer than I'd have expected. Even sweet at times. I thought we had a fun afternoon as friends, but gee was I wrong. The creep..."
Malik swallowed. Did that mean she knew the truth? But no... That would make her just as, if not more, angry at him than she is with Bakura. "What do you mean?" he asked, playing innocent.
"He just wanted to get his kicks. He had a good laugh at my expense no doubt."
Malik raised an eyebrow. "What makes you say that?"
"When I asked him if he was just trying to ruin my life, he responded with 'I have to get my giggles somehow or another.' I think that's pretty fair proof."
Malik sighed. "He was hurt and angry. Do you really think that he'd have responded kindly to being accused of ruining someone's life?"
Isis was silent. She was thinking about her encounter with Bakura earlier that day... Something he'd said... It had felt important, but she couldn't think of what it could be...
"Okay, so you accused him of ruining your life, he made his comment... What happened next?"
"Well, nothing really. He left after that. Mariku took you upstairs and Mariku and I broke up." Isis waved her hand in a gesture of dismissal, showing she was done with the conversation.
Malik thought for a moment. Then his eyes widened slightly. "Wait a minute... If that had been the end of it, he would have gone straight home, but Ryou said he was late getting back and had been wandering around aimlessly. I wonder... What did you and Mariku say when you broke up?"
Isis glared at him, standing. "That's none of your business, and it's not important anyway. He'd already left. He wouldn't have heard any of it."
"Isis... It was a rather chilly morning... Where was Bakura's shirt?" Malik pressed.
"..." She looked at Malik, who smiled smugly. "Ra..." She sat back down on the couch. "So you think he came back for the shirt?"
"Probably didn't get to far before realizing it was gone, either."
Isis nodded. "Well... We accused and insulted each other... Mariku wouldn't believe me when I said nothing happened and nothing ever would." She hesitated.
"Is that it?"
"No... I said that Bakura wasn't too great to look at with his shirt off." As she attempted to ignore Malik's bemused gaze, her mind ran through what she had said to Mariku and then her conversation earlier that day with Bakura. "And I said I'd be happier if I never saw him..."
"I AM a yami after all. You'd probably be happier to never see me again!"
Isis' expression was haunted. Malik frowned, watching as she put a hand over her heart. "Sis... You okay?"
"This pain..." she whispered, her hand slowly clenching into a fist, gathering some of the fabric of her dress into her balled fist. "Just like after my fight with Mariku... It's Bakura... He heard what I'd said and it hurt him... But... Why would it?" Her expression grew cold, her eyes flashing in anger. "Why would it hurt him, and why would I care that it does?"
She stood and strode from the room, her mind racing wildly. She felt confused and uncertain, and she didn't like that. Nor did she want her brother to know just how messed up she felt. So she kept an air of indignation. Defiance. Repeating the question to herself over and over again. *Why would he care? Why should I care?*
Malik watched her leave the room silently. When she was gone, he slumped back against the back of the couch. "Bakura... You stupid fool... You weren't supposed to fall in love with her..."
~*~*~*~
TWEE HEE!!! Malik knows! Malik knows!! *dances, laughing insanely* MWA HA HA HAAAAA!!!!
*cough* Anyway...
So whadda ya think? Everyone's so worried about Bakura!!! *snugs*
*cries suddenly* My mom just reminded me that I have to go to the oral surgeon's Monday to get my wisdom teeth cut out!!! *bawls*
Ryou: *tugs on Silverscreamer's shirt sleeve* It'll be alright... *hugs* And... Can I try talking to the reviewers today?
*nods* Okies. But I'll still make my own comments to... (They'll be in parentheses.)
Reviewerness!!!
IrishJade: *Pats you on the shoulder* It'll be alright. We all know that that's just the way my yami is. But you know that Silverscreamer won't leave you with a bad ending, right? (*sigh* Too much complaining if I do otherwise...)
KeMu: As you can see, no more confrontation between Bakura and Mariku... *looks at Silverscreamer, who gives a single nod* Actually, Mariku isn't really in it much anymore... Or at all I don't think...
Red Prophet: Bakura is prone to doing stupid things isn't he? *Bakura glares* Er... No offense or anything, yami... But no, he was just sitting out there. And I got him all taken care of. *Pats Bakura on the shoulder*
KurianGirl: Understanding between Isis and Bakura... *smiles* It's coming... eventually.
Reign of Isis4559: Yeah. Bad Mariku. *glances around to make sure that Mariku didn't hear him* But yeah, they broke up. Leaves room for my yami to move right in... That is... If they would both stop being so stubborn! *is glared at by both Isis and Bakura* That is to say... I mean... No offense? (~_~() poor sweet little albino... *pats Ryou on the head.* BTW, thank you much, I'm really glad you liked the workout. Perhaps it's just that I could see the scene in my mind and the words on the paper- or computer screen- just didn't feel right...) You'll just have to wait and see if they end up together. Though, like I said, Silverscreamer wouldn't leave you with a bad ending would she? (*grumbles about a certain someone from school who whines and complains every time she writes a sad story with a 'bad'- yeah... right...- ending.* I'm sorry... but not everyone ends up living happily ever after...)
Cieska: That's great! It's good to have something to look forward to when you get home, isn't it? For Silverscreamer it's always straight to the computer. She's just a little addicted to the internet. (I am not! Not addicted really... I could stay off the net if I wanted, but then what would become of my beloved fans who want more of my story!?) Right, Silverscreamer... You just keep telling yourself that... *whispers so the authoress won't hear* You know that she's making stuff up when she starts talking about 'her beloved fans' because she usually hates the idea of such things. Not that she doesn't love hearing that people like her stuff, just that she doesn't think she's all that good. (*having heard every word anyway, she sighs* Well I'm not...) ~_~()
Dragon Spirits: Glad you liked it! Hope you enjoy the rest of the fic! I'm in the next chapter more. *beams*
Lily of the Shadow: *nods* My poor yami. Hearing that really hurt him. He really does care. Of course, in the story I don't really know this yet... I learn next chapter though! And... Malik has some odd means of getting Bakura to talk to him... (Yes, that was a bit of a teaser for next chapter! And Malik does have very odd ways of going about things...)
Umeko the Beatnik Emu: ... *blushes* (Okay... I'll take this one over... Don't think Ryou wants to think about his yami's sexy chest. Guess it's too much like you're commenting on him... Although Ryou's too adorable for you to focus on something like having a sexy chest! *glomps Ryou* Anyway... Yeah... Bakura cartwheeling... *shivers*)
Anjiru: Yeah? I can't see my yami with Anzu[Tea]... (Me either... I... Don't think I like that thought... but to each their own my friend. *smiles* And thank you. I think you're the first person to comment actually on my style of writing...) But that's cool that Silverscreamer can make you start to like something else just from you reading her story. *smiles* Hope you enjoy the rest of the story!
Maori: *blinku* Yeah, she is really a really aweso- (*glomps Ryou* Now now... Don't be a liar... *smiles* I'm glad you like... But it isn't really that good is it? Besides, you shouldn't kill your boyfriend... Even if he doesn't exist. ~_~() Ah well... Such is the life of a single woman, eh? *shrugs and grins* All the same, I am very glad that you are enjoying the story.) Hope to see another review from you!
lynx wings: *nods* Yes, that does just about say it all... Poor him... Poor her...
Crissy the Amazing: You are so perceptive! (Awesome! High five! *holds hand out then blinks and withdraws it* Er... Yeah... That is, if this weren't just something that you're reading that I wrote who knows how long before you actually are reading it... Anyway! Back to Ryou.) Again, it's hard to picture my yami with Anzu, but I suppose that's alright. And yes, the angst is very nice isn't it? And the humor that Silverscreamer throws in is just wonderful. The slight, stiff humor in the midst of the angst and then the bloopers... It's really cool, neh? (*sigh* Ryou, can't you just not compliment me for once? *smiles and chuckles* Thank you though, I guess it's cool that you think I'm a great writier.)
Ryou smiles and hugs Silverscreamer before wandering off.
*smiles* He so cute! ^_^() Well I guess that's it for now. I'll see about whether I have time to post another chapter tonight... It would actually probably work for the best if I can... Cause then that's chapter 15 tonight, and 16 Sunday night... That would make me done before the wisdom teeth thing... Cause who knows how long it'll take me to get feeling better after that, huh?
Anyway... Enjoy the bloopers!!! There are... Um... Very... rather very... few of them this time...