Author's Note: Yeah I know I'm a silent one sorry for not all the interaction I'm really kinda new at this.. Guess I should have stated earlier that this was my first Yu-Gi-Oh fic staring only two of my favourite characters the others being Seto, Mokuba, Joey and at times Yami Yugi. Hope the story wasn't too confusing and I would love to thank all those who have been reviewing my story so far. You guys are very inspiring THANK YOU VERY MUCH and all positive criticism is very welcomed anything to improve for YOU my readers. And sorry for taking so long to update I have upcoming exams I've got to study for.

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Chapter 4 - Cornered

**Ryou's POV**

I managed to fix my hair, my clothes and my make up, I also managed to reach to school fifteen minutes late and I therefore I also managed again to get detention for the second time this week as soon as I tried to slip into class. There was a fit of giggles from all the students when my teacher pronounced the punishment for my tardiness, well except from my friends Yugi, Joey, Tristan and Tea who all gave me sympathetic glances, Seto just ignored me and returned to whatever he was doing. I covered my face with my silver hair as I waited for my teacher to allow me to go my seat, he did so after threatening me that if I came late again he would report me to the principal. I sat in my seat quietly for the whole period; it was English so I didn't have to pay as much attention as my other subjects. I felt miserable and cold as my clothes were still damp and so was my hair, my whole body ached especially my midsection. ~Why did he have to start so early in the morning especially before school? ~ I asked myself as I stared down at my books I had just pulled out. I sighed softly as I laid a hand around my stomach and rested my hand on my forehead, I didn't dare draw any more attention to myself by placing my head on my desk. A tired sensation fell over me and the only time I realized I was asleep was when I felt something poke me. It was Yugi, waking me up from my momentary slumber. It was just the both of us in the room, seemed as if everyone left already including the teacher. Thank goodness he woke me up or I would have been late for my other class. He told me to meet the others in our usual liming*(1) spot at lunch time behind the school, under the big, old oak tree. I agreed to this and was soon on my way to a double period of History.

"Hey Ryou" Joey greeted me in his loud friendly way as usual, I looked up and flashed him as smile as I headed towards the tree where the group had already assembled. I sat down as painlessly as possible next to Tristan placing my lunch on the mat which Tea always and generously provided for us. The conversation started with Duel Monsters as it usually did, followed by Joey and Tristan arguing about something quite trivial. I wasn't quite paying attention to them or anything in particular but instead to the pain rippling through my entire body. I stared down at my food playing in the mashed potato mush with my fork, just like this morn I couldn't eat and I sighed as I raked the fork over the top leaving behind some trails. I couldn't help wonder about my Yami.. ~In England we were inseparable the two of us, he allowed no one to lay a hand on me. My parents didn't have to, well at least my father who was always flying off somewhere, my mother, I can't remember how she looked, well except with the help of old photographs.~ I sighed again, wondering how many times I did that just for the day alone, must have set some sort of record or something.

My thoughts were soon interrupted by Yugi calling my name, actually I missed the first two times he did so and now the whole group was watching me oddly. "What's the mater Yugi?" I asked the smaller boy "Are you alright Ryou I called you two times before? Is something wrong?" I blinked at him ~was I that obvious?~ "You look a bit pale.are you sick?" he questioned again as he outstretched his hand and felt for my temperature only to comment that I was a bit warmer than the supposed body temperature.. I shook my head "No Yugi I'm not sick.. Must be a bit warm that's all" I gave him a soft smile "Are you sure Ryou.your eyes.you look worse than usual." Joey observed leaning closer to me as he studied my face, making me push back unto the tree trunk, which resulted in a sharp string of pain bolting throughout my body system. I had to bite down on my lower lip to hide my soft whimper, as I stared wide eyed at him. By all the Gods Egyptian to Hindu I was scared, I swore my whole body was shaking.~Did my crash course in makeup artistry work, or was it a complete failure~ As the blonde leaned closer observing me more I felt like a cornered rabbit, no chance of escape...I couldn't swallow anything not even my saliva, to soothe my sudden parched throat. "What's that.?" his fingers about to touch the scratch Bakura gifted me with.

**No POV** "Ahh Joey Stop that you making the boy scared stiff" Tristan growled as he pulled back his buddy roughly. "Tristan I wasn't doing him anything just checking him out...he looks a bit pale and." He puffed glaring at his friend soon to be his ever so often temporary enemy. "Dammit Joey he's always a bit pale, he's British isn't he?" Before the other could respond the school bell rang.

**Ryou's POV**

~Thank Gods~ I thought silently to myself as I promptly stood up ignoring the aches and pains "Hey. Thanks for inviting me guys. bye don't want to be late for my other classes now bye" I immediately excused myself as I dashed towards the building.

**No POV**

"Look what you did I told yah that you scared him.." Tristan puffed crossing his arms at an annoyed Joey.

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Liming: A Trinidadian slang for 'Hanging Out' or so forth.