*===*===*===*===*
Stigmatize - 1. To characterize as disgraceful; brand. 2. To mark with stigma
-------- Stigma - 1. A mark or token of infamy or disgrace.
While this describes Yami Bakura, the title is also mocking the authoress. It is my feel at this story so far if it represented me. Lots of love, eh? Go look up infamy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh to the surprise of none, neh? I do own 5 pairs of black jeans and 2 black blouses so suing me wouldn't get you much.
COMMENTS & THANKS:
CHAPTER FOUR:
GUESS: Okay, but this is good job I'm working on. You can't rush these things! [Especially when the f***ing computer can't compute worth sh*t! (nice mouth, eh?)]
YAMI TSUKI TENSHI: Whoa, a little too much information there. That just gets into you head and ya picture the reviewer running to get the..yeah.. heheheheheheheh, Malik ain't gone forever! BAKURA'S GONNA PARTY, WHOOHOO! Um, yeah, ignore that, I used to write humor.. [I guess you cant tell cause that outburst was soo incredibly LAME]
NO NAME: It's dumb blonde, I assure you. It sorta less subtle in future chapters. I mean, really, dark skinned Egyptian with BLONDE hair? That has got to mess a person up. So does being so amazingly GORGIOUS at the same time as being a freak.
CROSSOVER AUTHORESS: Well, next time you write one of the Yamis or anyone else, do this *pulls out notebook to take notes on herself* picture the character reading what they are thinking. If it's hard, it OCC. This works wonders on dialogue too. Some characters were simple not meant to up such words as in despicable [Joey], while others sound great [Daffy Duck].
SHIRIO YUKI: Yes, I go through not just the titles in the Yu-Gi-Oh section of FF.net, but throughout the entire site in Find to make sure NOBODY has the same title. Sorry this wasn't soon. My computer sucks arse [though I have yet to find it's mouth and it sure as Hell ain't MY arse]
SOULWINDOW: Well, I love my guitars! I had to put them in a fic. This one's sequel [Yes, I'm planning on a sequel] with have Eppie, my Epiphone electric. [This means Ryou will advance (or disadvance my music teacher tells me, so I hate that man) to the electric guitar!] This fic has Hippie [Hypocrite] my wanna be Gibson, though cheaper that that actual brand.
KAY: Oh don't worry; this fic FINALLY, has an entire plot [had to do something while the computer was busted]. Gabe will not be mean, but there's this guy name Tony who really kicks Ryou's ass. More on him much latter. Don't worry about Yami B., he'll not go soft. Fact; he beats up Ryou's dad [sorta] and kills the poor guitar. I don't think this will end in happily ever after. I'm already planning the sequel where this fic will cut off. It is not happily ever after either. I guess I'm not into that. I'm not big on making Yami Bakura go soft cause I feel it degrades his evilness. He always has to be evil for me.
CETTIE-GIRL: It may not end black and white. I'm already planning the sequel, but when that comes out, God knows. This may end gray and white. I'm trying to see how to make it less confusing and lame [the ending don't worry cause it's like ten chapters away]. Who knows, I may change my mind [which I tend to do] and fuck the sequel, killing a character instead.
KAORI: Don't worry, that was a phase. He's just actin stupid at the moment [says the authoress sans a heart]. I am great, aren't I? [hence my name's Ego to many]
ALILKARA: Continued. I don't know if you saw The Tow Towers, but that, I quote: 'Pleeeeease' made the word 'Gollum' cross my mind.
NONAME: Wow, Ryou is soo casual. So, what did that review in my story, the fact that I like good drinks to implode? Once you start, you can't quit. Just say NO to breaking glass objects!
KATANA: Sorry, I completely BLEW OFF that write more soon bit. My computer has yet to learn anything. I'm getting a new one, with a better Internet version.
NO NAME: Okay, I can't stand the look of '*hopeful*' written across a small blue review screen. Here, before I start bawling, the next chapter. [j/k] I'm glad you like the others, all are mine but 'Sorry for You..ect..' which me and the actual The Evil Laugh
CHAPTER FIVE:
SHIROI YUKI: Good luck? Damn, I knew I forgot to eat those black-eyed peas and other crap. No wonder I need cash now! Know what, I NEVER found the files. I retyped this chapter and am working on the next. This computer break has really given me time to make a real hard plot for this fic. It is now completely different from the idea in my mind publishing the first chapter. Heck, I'm even plotting out a songfic sequel with an electric guitar, cars, and snow!
CETTIE-GIRL: All the luck in the world couldn't save those chapters. I'm retyping them. Bright side: I now have a real plot! I'm even planning a songfic sequel. Whoo-hoo, I'm on a roll!
NONAME: I'm in the process of retyping my other chapters after this. I made a plot though. Oh, and, ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
KAY: I hate my stipic computer too! GABE IS NOT MEAN! Hehehehehehehehehehehe *coughTonycough*
This chapter is after Ryou ran out. A little backwards-in time.
*===*===*===*===* *===*===*===*===*
Stigmatize
Chapter 5:
Ryou came about hour later. His back hurt as he felt the lumpy thing that dared to give the illusion of a bed. A bright light shone rather rudely on his face as he tried to get away from it. He didn't understand, his bed never faced a stupid window. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open as he tried to remember where he was. He was looking out a single tall several paned window. The surfaces holding it around were not the off white tint of the solid wall and ceiling he woke up to everyday since he'd moved to Domino. These panels had been painted a robin's egg blue shade. Looking beyond the glass, he saw the plastered wall and covered window of another residence. The buildings were so close. This was not his part of town.
Slowly, Ryou remembered what had happened the night before. He'd runaway, actually left the horrible life he'd led since receiving the Millennium Ring. He was out of that now. He'd be safe from the Fiend he both deeply loved and immensely hated. Why wasn't he happy? He knew now where he was, some guy named Gabe's place. Ra, he hoped Adrienne didn't plan on coming over. He could only take Selina so much longer, but Adrienne was classified near suffering. The two in a duo was simply burning in Hell. He seriously didn't like them. He could only really stand Selina.
Ryou got up, now that he was entirely awake. The clock on the windowsill glowed in green that it was some minutes in the hour of ten. He'd gotten there at three, but didn't feel like doing the simple math to discover how long he'd been out. Groggy, he sat up, disgusted to see he still had on his old clothes, but not able to do much of anything about it. As he stood and took a step forward, he found he was falling. He hit the thin-carpeted floor with a disturbing thud. He heard his guitar hum lightly at the vibration, staring annoyed at the culprit, the instruments old, dark case. He mental swore at his stupidity, he should have looked where he was going.
"Are you okay?" asked Gabe, the ever-alert host, entering.
"Fine," Ryou muttered, getting up and brushing off some nonexistent dirt; the house was almost too clean.
"Oh, well, lunch is in the kitchen. Always is, just open the frig." Gabe informed him cheerfully.
Ryou nodded. Some one sure woke up on the right side of the bed this morning.
"Ya know, you slept right through breakfast? You don't usually stay up, do you?"
Ryou made some random gesture in agreement. He always slept in after a long night. His father was more than willing to let him even go and skip school after the reason for this usually turned out to be the Spirit of the Ring. The boy had formed a sort of habit out of it. Of course, he only ever missed classes if his father was staying home. Ryou didn't want to even imagine what his Yami would do if stuck with his Hikari alone all day. Then, the child made an effort to get to the school, no matter how horrible, tired, and/or disgusted he'd felt.
*===*===*===*===*
There was one word Gabe had for his newest acquaintance, tired. Even thought the younger boy was physically awake, his mind was seemingly still unconscious. It was more than obvious that the little guy had taken some hard, cruel blow emotionally. It wasn't just from physical exhaustion (indeed, Ryou didn't do much) that the boy had lain or sat down for hours, not sleeping, but merely thinking, reflecting. It was especially eerie when his eyes drifted far away and he almost completely stopped blinking.
Gabe had a very primitive term for what seemed to be going on. The boy was falling down in a fold. Basically, somewhere Ryou had stretched, like taffy in a way. On both ends had been a certain feeling, a way of looking at something. These two tried to get as far away from one another as they could, trying to make Ryou bend to one or the other. Now, since he was about to snap, the two ends had come together again, letting the boy see them both clearly once more, to confront both sides of whatever it was, the true and false, the lies and what should have been said in their place. Ryou didn't know which to follow, for he must choose on now, freedom or restraint, migraines or torture.
Now, Ryou was waiting. Waiting maybe for whoever had hurt him to come and take control, to make the decision for him. This person who would insure him how he'd lived was how it should always be and that he never was meant to escape. In fact, he'd been allowed to go, to taste how bad it was outside, much more worse and confusing than before.
The ends could separate again. They would break quickly though, being to far stretched. Good or evil, love or hate, give or loose, die outside or die inside. What this all real separated itself at was what Gabe didn't know.
*===*===*===*===*
Selina arrived later.
"Like, where's Ryou?" she asked Gabe.
"Upstairs."
"Is he, like, in a good mood?" she inquired.
"I don't rightly know. He's been real quiet all day. Just walking around the house where I'm not at. I hear his steps on the rooms, but he's gone when I get there. Sometimes he'll stop moving and I'll find him just sitting there, like there's nothing to life but breathing. Don't worry though; he's been in his room for a while. Last I went up he was writing something with his guitar out." Gabe told her, adding when he saw her face beam; "He was playing it though."
"Has he, like, talked at all?" she asked, her third question.
"Well, past please, thank you, excuse me, and the like, no. You were right about his quietness. It kinda creepy when he's making noise, but other wise, it's like nobody's here but me."
Selina nodded and went upstairs. From the door she could hear a guitar being lightly plucked in a pretty little tune she'd never heard before. Ryou was being very careful with the sounds volume; she could barely hear it through the door as it grew, quite intentionally it seemed, quieter and louder. When it seemed finished, she carefully knocked.
"Come in," the equally low voice replied from inside, almost as hard to catch as the music.
Ryou looked up at her from where he sat on the floor, back against the 'bed',
"Selina, what a pleasant surprise!" he lied, politely.
"Hi, Cutie. Just thought I'd, like, stop by. I came to ask you if you'd, like, want go travel 'round a lil' bit with me, Adrienne, and the group. It'll be, like, so fun.
Ryou looked down, considering. He supposed social interaction would help him, maybe. It would give him something else to think about other than his Yami. He shrugged casually as though he had barely thought one it at all.
"Okay, I guess it will be enjoyable," he said slowly.
"Awesome, but, like, one question though," Selina replied.
"Yes?"
"Well, you aren't, like, wearing THAT by any chance, are you?" she surveyed his outfit.
"Uh, well I guess so," he shrugged, feeling slightly offended.
"Like, no way. You will, like, soo loose that outfit. I'll go ask Gage for something."
"You really don't have too," Ryou replied, flustered more by shame than gratitude.
But, Selina already had the larger man in the room. She explained the situation quickly and he left to get the garments. He soon returned with some semi loose black office pants and a red and black horizontally striped long sleeve rugby shirt with a, ehem, white collar? Its design reminded Ryou partly of his old battle city outfit. The way it was striped brought the memory. Ryou thanked him with the fewest words possible and was soon ready to go, thankful for some bizarre reason that the slacks weren't high waters.
"What about my guitar?" he asked as Selina made to leave.
"Bring it, Cute. Gabe has guests, like, come over whenever they want. It would be soo safer with you."
"Uh, okay," he answered, getting the instrument from upstairs.
The small group soon left, many eyes going to the white haired boy with the guitar case. Selina led the two to the arcade. Ryou had always been amused at how much like a casino the place seemed. It was kind weird. He'd never staid there long, never had a reason.
The girl soon had him within a large group like twenty people, all seeming to know one another. Ryou felt considerably left out and decide to lean against the near wall. He stood quietly, listening the croons of adoration, as he knew without looking that Selina had pointed him out. They could groan, as much as they wanted, he would never care.
Now, Ryou knew damn well he was pretty attractive in a way to those females. He'd noticed that quite easily around the opposite sex. They seemed to like him almost too easily at times. They piled on the compliments, trying to best the other in good words on him to him. The mentioned everything from his 'stylishly' messy hair to his well-polished manners, laughing at every joke he said, even if the did not understand it. But he didn't really need to listen to the vain babble to know the opinion on his looks; he merely had to stare at his Yami, which was hard to avoid doing when the Spirit entered the room. Even in anger, the Fiend had a cat- like grace, a smooth deep voice even when yelling. His other side was dangerously enticing, white-skinned a beautiful. While Ryou shyness (or femininism as one put it) was adorable, the Spirit's alluring evil was down right seductive and very difficult to resist (unless you hated him). The boy knew not one of these ditzy little girls, no matter the level of experience, could stand against the Daemon's persuasion without some strong metal effort. His Yami was just like that naturally. Ryou knew it first hand. The Spirit's power was almost frightening.
For the third time, Ryou wondered were his Dark was. Did he even care where his Hikari gone to for the entire night and day? Ryou guessed if he did he'd be searching, but he was certain the Fiend could care less.
Ryou leaned heavier on the wall and sighed. He watched the others before him conversing and having a good time. They got along, all of them. Friends. He wished he had some real good ones right then. Sure he KNEW Yuugi, Anzu, Jounouchi, and Honda. He'd even thought he'd known Malik as well. What a lie.
The truth was, he'd just been a straggler. Had only ever followed the group around ever since meeting them personally first a Duelist Kingdom so long ago. At battle city too. It always was only after the Spirit of the Ring had caused some kind of trouble. The Fiend was constantly after the seven Millennium Items, hell-bent on getting them all. That was probably all his Yami had ever loved, had ever really wanted; the Power given by all the little magical trinkets.
Now, though Ryou had felt he would have gone to the ends of the earth for the Tomb Robber, that was only if said corners didn't involve hurting any of hid friends to take their Items. Naturally, at the moment, he was more tan willing to relived one blonde-haired Egyptian of a certain Millennium Rod. But, that was personal.
Ryou closed his eyes and leaned his head into the carpeted wall.
"Nice social interacting," he mocked himself, "This is REALLY helping you not think about you're crashed love life!"
Ryou sighed. Great, since Yami wasn't here to put him down, he had somehow decide to do so himself.
"Ryou," a damnable voice said waking him from the Death that was the solitude of his mind. He opened his eyes and saw the horrid face of Adrienne.
"Ryou, some one's, like, here to see you. He's standing with Selina and Gabe. Said he wants to discuss like last night or whatever. Some bit about you running off," she informed him.
Ryou turned away. He couldn't look at Adrienne; he disliked her too much.
"I don't want to talk to anyone wanting to bring up THAT again. Tell them no and that they can burn in Hell."
Adrienne made a shock sound Ryou hoped was a gag; that she was finally dieing.
"Didn't know you thought so high of me, Ryou. 'Tell them they can burn in Hell'? Why, I'm so deeply touched!" Ryou heard a familiar voice laugh behind him.
"YOU!" he exclaimed angrily, raising his voice considerably.
*===*===*===*===* *===*===*===*===*
AN: Okay, I never found my files, FYI. I retyped this whole entire chapter. Sorry for all the millions of delays, from the holidays to a busted computer. But hey, I got to make an actual plot for all this and have sketched up the chapter eleven I think. I'm even in the process of making a backing for a songfic sequel.
Thanks to all you many reviewers. Since there are soo many of you *hehehehehehe* I'm asking for some minor five reviews before the next chapter. Okay?
And remember you MUST review. I stayed up till one in the morning typing this one a Friday. You know what else I could have done? I could have gone dancing, or thrown a party at my place, I could have gone on a date with some loser just so he'd buy me jewelry and shit, I could have practice Hells Bells on my electric guitar, I could have eaten at Wendy's with their midnight schedule, and most importantly, I could have harpied my friend Gwain at Wal-Mart and messed with the merchandise. Ya'll don't know how FUN that is!
Wal-Mart, Wal-Mart, that's the store! We shop there cause we are poor!
*===*===*===*===*
Stigmatize - 1. To characterize as disgraceful; brand. 2. To mark with stigma
-------- Stigma - 1. A mark or token of infamy or disgrace.
While this describes Yami Bakura, the title is also mocking the authoress. It is my feel at this story so far if it represented me. Lots of love, eh? Go look up infamy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh to the surprise of none, neh? I do own 5 pairs of black jeans and 2 black blouses so suing me wouldn't get you much.
COMMENTS & THANKS:
CHAPTER FOUR:
GUESS: Okay, but this is good job I'm working on. You can't rush these things! [Especially when the f***ing computer can't compute worth sh*t! (nice mouth, eh?)]
YAMI TSUKI TENSHI: Whoa, a little too much information there. That just gets into you head and ya picture the reviewer running to get the..yeah.. heheheheheheheh, Malik ain't gone forever! BAKURA'S GONNA PARTY, WHOOHOO! Um, yeah, ignore that, I used to write humor.. [I guess you cant tell cause that outburst was soo incredibly LAME]
NO NAME: It's dumb blonde, I assure you. It sorta less subtle in future chapters. I mean, really, dark skinned Egyptian with BLONDE hair? That has got to mess a person up. So does being so amazingly GORGIOUS at the same time as being a freak.
CROSSOVER AUTHORESS: Well, next time you write one of the Yamis or anyone else, do this *pulls out notebook to take notes on herself* picture the character reading what they are thinking. If it's hard, it OCC. This works wonders on dialogue too. Some characters were simple not meant to up such words as in despicable [Joey], while others sound great [Daffy Duck].
SHIRIO YUKI: Yes, I go through not just the titles in the Yu-Gi-Oh section of FF.net, but throughout the entire site in Find to make sure NOBODY has the same title. Sorry this wasn't soon. My computer sucks arse [though I have yet to find it's mouth and it sure as Hell ain't MY arse]
SOULWINDOW: Well, I love my guitars! I had to put them in a fic. This one's sequel [Yes, I'm planning on a sequel] with have Eppie, my Epiphone electric. [This means Ryou will advance (or disadvance my music teacher tells me, so I hate that man) to the electric guitar!] This fic has Hippie [Hypocrite] my wanna be Gibson, though cheaper that that actual brand.
KAY: Oh don't worry; this fic FINALLY, has an entire plot [had to do something while the computer was busted]. Gabe will not be mean, but there's this guy name Tony who really kicks Ryou's ass. More on him much latter. Don't worry about Yami B., he'll not go soft. Fact; he beats up Ryou's dad [sorta] and kills the poor guitar. I don't think this will end in happily ever after. I'm already planning the sequel where this fic will cut off. It is not happily ever after either. I guess I'm not into that. I'm not big on making Yami Bakura go soft cause I feel it degrades his evilness. He always has to be evil for me.
CETTIE-GIRL: It may not end black and white. I'm already planning the sequel, but when that comes out, God knows. This may end gray and white. I'm trying to see how to make it less confusing and lame [the ending don't worry cause it's like ten chapters away]. Who knows, I may change my mind [which I tend to do] and fuck the sequel, killing a character instead.
KAORI: Don't worry, that was a phase. He's just actin stupid at the moment [says the authoress sans a heart]. I am great, aren't I? [hence my name's Ego to many]
ALILKARA: Continued. I don't know if you saw The Tow Towers, but that, I quote: 'Pleeeeease' made the word 'Gollum' cross my mind.
NONAME: Wow, Ryou is soo casual. So, what did that review in my story, the fact that I like good drinks to implode? Once you start, you can't quit. Just say NO to breaking glass objects!
KATANA: Sorry, I completely BLEW OFF that write more soon bit. My computer has yet to learn anything. I'm getting a new one, with a better Internet version.
NO NAME: Okay, I can't stand the look of '*hopeful*' written across a small blue review screen. Here, before I start bawling, the next chapter. [j/k] I'm glad you like the others, all are mine but 'Sorry for You..ect..' which me and the actual The Evil Laugh
CHAPTER FIVE:
SHIROI YUKI: Good luck? Damn, I knew I forgot to eat those black-eyed peas and other crap. No wonder I need cash now! Know what, I NEVER found the files. I retyped this chapter and am working on the next. This computer break has really given me time to make a real hard plot for this fic. It is now completely different from the idea in my mind publishing the first chapter. Heck, I'm even plotting out a songfic sequel with an electric guitar, cars, and snow!
CETTIE-GIRL: All the luck in the world couldn't save those chapters. I'm retyping them. Bright side: I now have a real plot! I'm even planning a songfic sequel. Whoo-hoo, I'm on a roll!
NONAME: I'm in the process of retyping my other chapters after this. I made a plot though. Oh, and, ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
KAY: I hate my stipic computer too! GABE IS NOT MEAN! Hehehehehehehehehehehe *coughTonycough*
This chapter is after Ryou ran out. A little backwards-in time.
*===*===*===*===* *===*===*===*===*
Stigmatize
Chapter 5:
Ryou came about hour later. His back hurt as he felt the lumpy thing that dared to give the illusion of a bed. A bright light shone rather rudely on his face as he tried to get away from it. He didn't understand, his bed never faced a stupid window. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open as he tried to remember where he was. He was looking out a single tall several paned window. The surfaces holding it around were not the off white tint of the solid wall and ceiling he woke up to everyday since he'd moved to Domino. These panels had been painted a robin's egg blue shade. Looking beyond the glass, he saw the plastered wall and covered window of another residence. The buildings were so close. This was not his part of town.
Slowly, Ryou remembered what had happened the night before. He'd runaway, actually left the horrible life he'd led since receiving the Millennium Ring. He was out of that now. He'd be safe from the Fiend he both deeply loved and immensely hated. Why wasn't he happy? He knew now where he was, some guy named Gabe's place. Ra, he hoped Adrienne didn't plan on coming over. He could only take Selina so much longer, but Adrienne was classified near suffering. The two in a duo was simply burning in Hell. He seriously didn't like them. He could only really stand Selina.
Ryou got up, now that he was entirely awake. The clock on the windowsill glowed in green that it was some minutes in the hour of ten. He'd gotten there at three, but didn't feel like doing the simple math to discover how long he'd been out. Groggy, he sat up, disgusted to see he still had on his old clothes, but not able to do much of anything about it. As he stood and took a step forward, he found he was falling. He hit the thin-carpeted floor with a disturbing thud. He heard his guitar hum lightly at the vibration, staring annoyed at the culprit, the instruments old, dark case. He mental swore at his stupidity, he should have looked where he was going.
"Are you okay?" asked Gabe, the ever-alert host, entering.
"Fine," Ryou muttered, getting up and brushing off some nonexistent dirt; the house was almost too clean.
"Oh, well, lunch is in the kitchen. Always is, just open the frig." Gabe informed him cheerfully.
Ryou nodded. Some one sure woke up on the right side of the bed this morning.
"Ya know, you slept right through breakfast? You don't usually stay up, do you?"
Ryou made some random gesture in agreement. He always slept in after a long night. His father was more than willing to let him even go and skip school after the reason for this usually turned out to be the Spirit of the Ring. The boy had formed a sort of habit out of it. Of course, he only ever missed classes if his father was staying home. Ryou didn't want to even imagine what his Yami would do if stuck with his Hikari alone all day. Then, the child made an effort to get to the school, no matter how horrible, tired, and/or disgusted he'd felt.
*===*===*===*===*
There was one word Gabe had for his newest acquaintance, tired. Even thought the younger boy was physically awake, his mind was seemingly still unconscious. It was more than obvious that the little guy had taken some hard, cruel blow emotionally. It wasn't just from physical exhaustion (indeed, Ryou didn't do much) that the boy had lain or sat down for hours, not sleeping, but merely thinking, reflecting. It was especially eerie when his eyes drifted far away and he almost completely stopped blinking.
Gabe had a very primitive term for what seemed to be going on. The boy was falling down in a fold. Basically, somewhere Ryou had stretched, like taffy in a way. On both ends had been a certain feeling, a way of looking at something. These two tried to get as far away from one another as they could, trying to make Ryou bend to one or the other. Now, since he was about to snap, the two ends had come together again, letting the boy see them both clearly once more, to confront both sides of whatever it was, the true and false, the lies and what should have been said in their place. Ryou didn't know which to follow, for he must choose on now, freedom or restraint, migraines or torture.
Now, Ryou was waiting. Waiting maybe for whoever had hurt him to come and take control, to make the decision for him. This person who would insure him how he'd lived was how it should always be and that he never was meant to escape. In fact, he'd been allowed to go, to taste how bad it was outside, much more worse and confusing than before.
The ends could separate again. They would break quickly though, being to far stretched. Good or evil, love or hate, give or loose, die outside or die inside. What this all real separated itself at was what Gabe didn't know.
*===*===*===*===*
Selina arrived later.
"Like, where's Ryou?" she asked Gabe.
"Upstairs."
"Is he, like, in a good mood?" she inquired.
"I don't rightly know. He's been real quiet all day. Just walking around the house where I'm not at. I hear his steps on the rooms, but he's gone when I get there. Sometimes he'll stop moving and I'll find him just sitting there, like there's nothing to life but breathing. Don't worry though; he's been in his room for a while. Last I went up he was writing something with his guitar out." Gabe told her, adding when he saw her face beam; "He was playing it though."
"Has he, like, talked at all?" she asked, her third question.
"Well, past please, thank you, excuse me, and the like, no. You were right about his quietness. It kinda creepy when he's making noise, but other wise, it's like nobody's here but me."
Selina nodded and went upstairs. From the door she could hear a guitar being lightly plucked in a pretty little tune she'd never heard before. Ryou was being very careful with the sounds volume; she could barely hear it through the door as it grew, quite intentionally it seemed, quieter and louder. When it seemed finished, she carefully knocked.
"Come in," the equally low voice replied from inside, almost as hard to catch as the music.
Ryou looked up at her from where he sat on the floor, back against the 'bed',
"Selina, what a pleasant surprise!" he lied, politely.
"Hi, Cutie. Just thought I'd, like, stop by. I came to ask you if you'd, like, want go travel 'round a lil' bit with me, Adrienne, and the group. It'll be, like, so fun.
Ryou looked down, considering. He supposed social interaction would help him, maybe. It would give him something else to think about other than his Yami. He shrugged casually as though he had barely thought one it at all.
"Okay, I guess it will be enjoyable," he said slowly.
"Awesome, but, like, one question though," Selina replied.
"Yes?"
"Well, you aren't, like, wearing THAT by any chance, are you?" she surveyed his outfit.
"Uh, well I guess so," he shrugged, feeling slightly offended.
"Like, no way. You will, like, soo loose that outfit. I'll go ask Gage for something."
"You really don't have too," Ryou replied, flustered more by shame than gratitude.
But, Selina already had the larger man in the room. She explained the situation quickly and he left to get the garments. He soon returned with some semi loose black office pants and a red and black horizontally striped long sleeve rugby shirt with a, ehem, white collar? Its design reminded Ryou partly of his old battle city outfit. The way it was striped brought the memory. Ryou thanked him with the fewest words possible and was soon ready to go, thankful for some bizarre reason that the slacks weren't high waters.
"What about my guitar?" he asked as Selina made to leave.
"Bring it, Cute. Gabe has guests, like, come over whenever they want. It would be soo safer with you."
"Uh, okay," he answered, getting the instrument from upstairs.
The small group soon left, many eyes going to the white haired boy with the guitar case. Selina led the two to the arcade. Ryou had always been amused at how much like a casino the place seemed. It was kind weird. He'd never staid there long, never had a reason.
The girl soon had him within a large group like twenty people, all seeming to know one another. Ryou felt considerably left out and decide to lean against the near wall. He stood quietly, listening the croons of adoration, as he knew without looking that Selina had pointed him out. They could groan, as much as they wanted, he would never care.
Now, Ryou knew damn well he was pretty attractive in a way to those females. He'd noticed that quite easily around the opposite sex. They seemed to like him almost too easily at times. They piled on the compliments, trying to best the other in good words on him to him. The mentioned everything from his 'stylishly' messy hair to his well-polished manners, laughing at every joke he said, even if the did not understand it. But he didn't really need to listen to the vain babble to know the opinion on his looks; he merely had to stare at his Yami, which was hard to avoid doing when the Spirit entered the room. Even in anger, the Fiend had a cat- like grace, a smooth deep voice even when yelling. His other side was dangerously enticing, white-skinned a beautiful. While Ryou shyness (or femininism as one put it) was adorable, the Spirit's alluring evil was down right seductive and very difficult to resist (unless you hated him). The boy knew not one of these ditzy little girls, no matter the level of experience, could stand against the Daemon's persuasion without some strong metal effort. His Yami was just like that naturally. Ryou knew it first hand. The Spirit's power was almost frightening.
For the third time, Ryou wondered were his Dark was. Did he even care where his Hikari gone to for the entire night and day? Ryou guessed if he did he'd be searching, but he was certain the Fiend could care less.
Ryou leaned heavier on the wall and sighed. He watched the others before him conversing and having a good time. They got along, all of them. Friends. He wished he had some real good ones right then. Sure he KNEW Yuugi, Anzu, Jounouchi, and Honda. He'd even thought he'd known Malik as well. What a lie.
The truth was, he'd just been a straggler. Had only ever followed the group around ever since meeting them personally first a Duelist Kingdom so long ago. At battle city too. It always was only after the Spirit of the Ring had caused some kind of trouble. The Fiend was constantly after the seven Millennium Items, hell-bent on getting them all. That was probably all his Yami had ever loved, had ever really wanted; the Power given by all the little magical trinkets.
Now, though Ryou had felt he would have gone to the ends of the earth for the Tomb Robber, that was only if said corners didn't involve hurting any of hid friends to take their Items. Naturally, at the moment, he was more tan willing to relived one blonde-haired Egyptian of a certain Millennium Rod. But, that was personal.
Ryou closed his eyes and leaned his head into the carpeted wall.
"Nice social interacting," he mocked himself, "This is REALLY helping you not think about you're crashed love life!"
Ryou sighed. Great, since Yami wasn't here to put him down, he had somehow decide to do so himself.
"Ryou," a damnable voice said waking him from the Death that was the solitude of his mind. He opened his eyes and saw the horrid face of Adrienne.
"Ryou, some one's, like, here to see you. He's standing with Selina and Gabe. Said he wants to discuss like last night or whatever. Some bit about you running off," she informed him.
Ryou turned away. He couldn't look at Adrienne; he disliked her too much.
"I don't want to talk to anyone wanting to bring up THAT again. Tell them no and that they can burn in Hell."
Adrienne made a shock sound Ryou hoped was a gag; that she was finally dieing.
"Didn't know you thought so high of me, Ryou. 'Tell them they can burn in Hell'? Why, I'm so deeply touched!" Ryou heard a familiar voice laugh behind him.
"YOU!" he exclaimed angrily, raising his voice considerably.
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AN: Okay, I never found my files, FYI. I retyped this whole entire chapter. Sorry for all the millions of delays, from the holidays to a busted computer. But hey, I got to make an actual plot for all this and have sketched up the chapter eleven I think. I'm even in the process of making a backing for a songfic sequel.
Thanks to all you many reviewers. Since there are soo many of you *hehehehehehe* I'm asking for some minor five reviews before the next chapter. Okay?
And remember you MUST review. I stayed up till one in the morning typing this one a Friday. You know what else I could have done? I could have gone dancing, or thrown a party at my place, I could have gone on a date with some loser just so he'd buy me jewelry and shit, I could have practice Hells Bells on my electric guitar, I could have eaten at Wendy's with their midnight schedule, and most importantly, I could have harpied my friend Gwain at Wal-Mart and messed with the merchandise. Ya'll don't know how FUN that is!
Wal-Mart, Wal-Mart, that's the store! We shop there cause we are poor!
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