*===*===*===*===*
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.
COMMENTS & THANKS:
BRITTANY: *timidly hands over the 15th chapter* Here you go. Can I live now?
CYNTHIA CHEN: You're looking forward? Okay, well you can look at my fic now; it's been updated.
NO NAME: Yes, they are kind of switching places, I admit. I'm glad you love the story. I'm giving the story "curious" glances now. It has a lot of loves. I think it's up to something.
MALIK'SGURL: Chopsticks rule. May people who use them prefer them.
CHEESEPUFF: You like Yami Bakura scenes? Good, this is one for you than. ……………..You didn't read the math? Okay, I don't care actually. I wonder if anyone did though?
ALLENBY: Ryou is not becoming HIS Yami. I cannot explain it. He is not taking all of his Dark's personality. Ahhh, I'll explain later or it will ruin everything.
ASHURI CHAN: You hopes may not come true. The item may never fix; Ryou may never be completely okay. At least, not in this part of the fic. Maybe I should work on the sequel a tad more.
YAMI KRISSY: You have a friend named Montana who likes math? Interesting. I used to go to some very good schools before my family moved. Now we can't afford tuition and I'm in public school. It is really weird. Everyone thinks I'm smart. They find it strange I am in all the honors classes available and play guitar. They think idiots play guitar or that smart people only play gospel songs. Okay, lets look at the strangeness in this notion. Why the Hell would I play gospel when I can't sit through one song? Smartness is really overrated. What do they want to see, a sweater and a skirt girl playing happy piano music? Okay….
HIEI-CHAN: I'm continuing. Here is more of my great fanfic.
JOUNOUNCHIS KOI: Ryou isn't so much gaining his Yami's feelings as he is gaining the Shadow's influences. Ponder that for a while till I explain it all.
DEE-WHY-CEE-ARE: I don't think Yami Yuugi is coming back. Malik is not dead.
ASHURI CHAN: Really? Do you know what is happening? Did I not make it pathetically obvious?
ELLE-FATE2X1: Okay, here is more of my great fic.
ASSASSIN OF THE SHADOWS: Here is another chapter. Read and enjoy.
LUNA-ROSE: I'm happy my fic twists so much. I guess my mind does that a lot. I must be twisted with all those cliff hangers.
YUGIFAN: Ryou, my dear reviewer, is obvious not in good humor. I made up the water thing because it sounded cool.
ESCURO DE LA LUS: No, many people are of the opinion I killed Malik actually. It's interesting. …………………….I checked out the pics. Lovely. I want to request Otogi pics. I luv Otogi. ((Ryou: What about me?)) I love Ryou too, but he has enough pictures.
DRAGGY: Yes, I wait for a bit before solving my little fic's mysteries. And all of you can't just jump to the last chapter and find out what happens because currently it is not in existence. One seventy-five-page college rule, spiral notebook answers everything and none of you can see it. Hahahaha! …………….I like to guess the answers to thing. I'll watch five minutes of a movie and already locate all the love triangles [which is why I find it difficult to watch movies]. I read a book and lose interest because I keep guessing correctly the next actions and realize I could have written something a whole lot better. It's sad.
RAYNE: Sorry the math made no sense. You have to take it apart and maybe try to follow each step individually. You're probably a visual learner and I had everything down in facts. Don't worry, I will not be testing everyone on it.
AYMELEH: You like my story! Here is the rest!
NONAME: I think Yami Bakura needs to learn some math to see how triangles are supposed to stand.
THE-DARK-ONE: Awe, I wish you could read the fic. It is really getting good. I'm now on 23 people's favorite author sections. I'll miss all the nice long reviews!
WINGEDWOLF: I am writing fast. But, it's hard to type without a computer on you're only three typing days. I got this almost out in one after noon. And, so you know, when I first didn't update for a week I got more reviews. The second time I got even more. I don't think the readers care, and I give them so many questions about if Ryou will ever be okay. But, I'm updating today, so there is no threat. I try to update once a week, you see. I couldn't last time die to circumstance beyond my control.
STEPHANIE: Okay, I'm still typing, since this is 'cool'.
RESPONDED TO FIFTEENTH CHAPTER NOTE:
ALLENBY: I found out I have to retype all of "Sorry For You…" on a different word document. There seems to be some kind of restriction inbedded in the text file. Currently though, I have no time for all of this. Ergo, that story is not updated yet.
RENEE THE RABID SQUIRREL: Yeah, they are kind of shifting places.
TOKYOGAL89: The Evil Laugh and Me used to share a pen name. We wrote "Sorry For You, Hikari of Yami Bakura" together till she stopped. She finally got AOL and can have her own account.
NONAME: Bakura has an eating problem. That or he's a goat. ……………………My friend actually had me co-write a fic with her before I took over our account. She finally got a screen name and I signed her address for a pen name. She is not The Evil Laugh.
Don't worry peoples; Malik is OKAY! In fact, he's in the first paragraph. Oh, and I'm going back to romance anguish scenes! Yay!
*===*===*===*===* *===*===*===*===*
Stigmatize
Chapter 15: How Things Are Supposed To Be
Malik arrived a half-hour after Ryou's little discovery. By then, the white haired boy was feeling very much normal and sat on the couch. He looked up at the Ishtar in slight amazement.
"What happened to you?" Ryou asked.
"You're idiot Yami's what happened to me," the Egyptian replied, rubbing the back of his neck like there was some pain there, "You'd think I'd tried to steal the Millennium Ring."
Ryou tilted his head in confusion at this,
"What did you do, Malik?"
"I apparently committed the great felony of helping his Hikari. That sadistic freak is too protective over everything," Malik informed him, still standing.
"What did he do?" Ryou asked, curious.
"Knocked me over the head and dragged my unconscious limbs to some lot three blocks down."
Ryou nodded at this slowly. Why had his Dark felt entitled to do such a thing to Malik? What was the point?
"You know, Ryou, being all day sleeping in a gutter makes a person hungry. You won't chase me three blocks screaming if I get some food, would you?" Malik asked, heading hopefully for the kitchen.
"No," Ryou answered, leading Malik to the cabinets.
"Kind of hard to believe only two people have to eat here, eh?" he remarked to Malik's eyes widening at the rows upon rows of canned food.
"Uh, I think this one is okay," Malik informed, grabbing a can of diced fruit.
Ryou pointed at the can opener.
"Open it, I think you can manage that," he stated before Malik handed him the metal container.
"Awe," Malik pouted turning around.
"Oh, and I think you are fully capable of getting your own bowl as well," Ryou continued, kicking the lower cabinet where said item were held.
"What ever happened to serving the guest? Do you have an hospitality?" Malik complained, trying to get the can opened.
"I'm letting you eat my food, aren't I?" Ryou asked annoyingly.
"Well, then I'll make a note not to come over anymore." Malik snapped with the seriousness of threat often posed by feather pillows.
"Good, you'll probably live longer." Ryou answered, with very little sarcasm. Malik sighed in frustration at this.
"Will you do anything I ask?" Malik groaned.
"If you ask nicely," Ryou answered, sitting down at the kitchen table.
"Will you please get me a bowl then?" Malik requested.
"No," Ryou answered calmly.
"Why not?" Malik complained again.
"You're a whole lot closer than I am to the cabinet."
Malik frowned, realizing this was true. Muttering some incoherent phrases to himself, the Egyptian leaned down and grabbed a bowl. He dumped the fruit in with a loud plop and pulled up a chair across from Ryou. He held up two spoons.
"Will you help me eat this, please?" he inquired, "No man could do such a thing alone."
Ryou glared at him unintentionally.
"I'm not hungry," he stated.
"Oh, come on, of course you are! How can you not be a little by ravenous after all that's been happening the past three days?" Malik asked, holding out a spoon.
"I can't eat," Ryou informed him.
"You're Dark isn't restricting you from food, is he?" Malik asked, taking his friend's statement entirely the wrong way.
"No," Ryou answered quickly.
"Then eat," Malik ordered.
"I can't," Ryou repeated.
"Are you allergic to fruit or something?" Malik asked in annoyance.
"I'm allergic to everything maybe," Ryou replied quietly.
"I feel like I don't know something. What's the matter, Ryou?" Malik inquired, finally realizing something was wrong.
"I haven't really eaten for three days," Ryou informed him, keeping the whole situation back still.
"You must feel terrible," Malik remarked.
"No, that's what's wrong," Ryou finally informed him, "I don't. I didn't even notice."
Malik's eyebrows shot up slightly, showing his surprise.
"Why?" he questioned, not entirely sure Ryou could answer.
Ryou reached around his neck for the Millennium Ring and held it out to the other. Malik grabbed it lightly.
"It's cold," the Ishtar reported, hastily dropping the item again.
"Yes, and it's ruined everything too. We don't know what to do." Ryou told his friend, watching the pendant.
Malik nodded, pick up his spoon.
"I don't know what's wrong either, but I don't think it will stay broken forever. You should ask Shaddi about it. He might know, being the bigheaded guardian and all. I mean; he's got all that "fathomless" knowledge on the Millennium Items." Malik suggested.
"What if he doesn't know?"
Malik shrugged casually at this," Well, it will sure shut that freak's mouth, now will it? You'd be doing the entire Millennium Item community a huge favour."
Ryou glared at him," Are you even taking me seriously? If you're assuming I'm optimistic, you're right, but I'm not stupid. I really want to know what's wrong, Malik."
The Egyptian nodded, suddenly less humorous. In fact, Ryou thought the face was a lie; it was up so fast. When the other spoke, some of Ryou's doubts were relieved.
"I know. I'll try to help you find Shaddi. He really does know a lot, much more than you, me, or Isis."
Ryou nodded slightly in agreement. He listened as the front door opened and turned to Malik worried. The boy shock his head and made no attempt to get up. Ryou tensed nervously as Malik continued to eat calmly.
Ryou watched the entrance to the room as he heard clumsy, wonderfully mortal created footsteps approaching. His father was soon present. There was a linen bandage shining brightly the man's dark head and he held an ice pack in a free hand.
"Hello," the man greeted, looking at Ryou and Malik.
Malik pushed the bowl casually towards an empty seat and sticking the second spoon into the fruit, inviting the man over. Ryou's father walked over and sat down.
"And you are?" he ask, diving the utensil into the gooey, wet food and lifting it.
"Malik Ishtar, Ryou's friend," Malik answered, taking another bit and swallowing before adding on, "It's great you're here now, sir. There is no way I can eat all of this, and you're son happens to not be very hungry."
Ryou made a random gesture in agreement. His father raised his eyebrow only slightly and continued eating. Between this second bite he choked suddenly, seeing the Millennium Ring.
"Why's…?" he trailed off.
"Oh, sorry," Ryou apologized, quickly placing the item under his shirt.
"So," he remarked finished putting the Ring up and killing a silence ready to form, "What happened, Father? How did your head get hurt?"
His father sighed, "That crazy Spirit decided it would do right proper to black me out with a meat mallet."
Malik made a tisk sound with his tongue, "How uncivilized!"
"Aye, someone need to teach that daemon some manners," the man agreed, turned to Ryou who nodded quickly.
"I wish we could get rid of the pest. He does the most horrid things to us un staying here," Ryou's father muttered. His son nodded halfheartedly at this since the man still watched him. Malik noticed his discomfort. Quickly the Egyptian shoveled the last of the fruit in seconds to divert the adult's attention.
"That was quite rude," the man scowled, "Why'd you just inhale the last of the food like that? You might as well have eaten the spoon and bowl with it."
"Oh, well I guess I was just so hungry, sir," Malik apologized, winking at Ryou. The white haired boy smiled slightly in return.
"Eat much?" the man asked.
"High metabolism," Malik nearly sang.
"Whatever, boy. I guess I'll go to sleep now. It's late and my head is killing me. I have to go to a site in Romania in a few days. Some colleagues unearthed a small village in the mountains."
"You're leaving?" Ryou blurted out in surprise.
"Sorry it's such short notice, Ryou, but I only go my assignment this afternoon. I'm going as soon as possible. I could maybe bring you if you'd like, it's still Summer vacation."
"I'll think about it, father," Ryou quickly tried to recover his outburst.
"Of course, but you know, if you hadn't come home yesterday evening, I wouldn't have gone. But, thankfully, you're back. I hope it stays that way," the man informed him.
Ryou nodded, hiding his disappointment and confusion. His father rose slowly at this and left. Ryou listened to him moving before getting up and walking to the back porch. He sat down on a chair. Malik followed and remained standing behind him.
"You should go home now. Yami might come back and your sister is probably worried."
Malik just shrugged, not really caring. Ryou chose to ignore him. It was the Ishtar's choice whether to go or stay. Ryou didn't really feel like doing anything, much less ordering the other to leave. He just thought about his Father's offer.
Romania, how little he knew about that part of the world to the west. What he knew even less was why in the world his father had to go there. That had to be one of the places more different from Domino than Ryou had ever worried about. Of course, his father would have never agreed if Ryou had been gone just one day longer. The man wanted him home.
Ryou didn't even want to go to Romania. He'd just be introducing his Yami to another part of the world. The Fiend might get angry, which would ruin whatever Ryou's father was trying to do. The boy couldn't do such a thing to the man.
"Are you going with your father?" Malik finally asked.
"No, Yami would just get in the way," Ryou replied quietly.
Malik and put his hand on Ryou's shoulder sending a chill up his spine. The white haired boy quickly pulled away. He didn't care how normal the gesture was.
"If you don't stop it with my Hikari I will kill you, Ishtar," a voice growled from inside the house. Ryou closed his eyes and waited for what was going to happen.
"When, you don't seem too concerned about him," Malik shot back, alarming Ryou.
"Quiet, Mortal, before I make you regret being born. You don't know anything about this," the Spirit hissed.
Ryou opened his eyes and turned around to the two feuding beings. He suddenly realized just how egotistical his Dark's remark had been.
"Yami?" he asked, looking at the Fiend best he could, "I want to know something."
"Yes?" the Spirit growled, glaring at Malik.
Ryou paused before continuing, watching the Fiend nervously.
"Can you tell me exactly what makes everything Malik says wrong and what makes everything you don't say right? I'm afraid it's quite hard for me to grasp. You tell me you hate me and, you tell others you hate me. Now you just said Malik didn't understand and to shut up. You told him he didn't know. Well, what didn't he get because I'm afraid I don't either. How come I shouldn't believe him over you when all you do is contradict yourself?" Ryou asked, his voice almost painfully polite and drown in respect and curiosity.
"Why you tyrannical, petite little fool," the Yami growled, smirking, "You silver tongued little child, trying to trap me in my secrecy. You really must think you have it all explain. You think you understand my motives. What, do you think there's a reason to my insanity? You think that maybe inside I have the guilt to rival on of those petty little saints, don't you? You're wrong, boy, so don't even try to hurt me with your convictions, backed by that pathetic Ishtar."
Malik growled at the Spirit, clenching his fists. Ryou just watched them both as his Yami mocked the Egyptian.
"Oh yes, the Malik Ishtar. He doesn't want you, Hikari, he only thinks he does because I will not let him have you. He just wants to get back at me because he thinks I deserve it. Going to him would be a great mistake, child. He'd drop you so fast that you'd keep falling till you hit the uttermost bottom in some forgotten side of Hell."
"Why you daemonic ass," Malik started, heading for the Fiend.
"Stop," Ryou ordered nervously from where he sat, "Don't fight."
Malik stopped dead and reached for Ryou's arm, "But Ryou, you don't believe-"
"Get off me," Ryou ordered, pulling away. Yami Bakura smirked.
"You see, Ryou, you do need me. I will always be here. I understand you better than anyone will ever even bother. I am the Yami; you are the Hikari. Don't worry about those pesky mortals getting in the path of the way things are supposed to be: Dark and Light, Strong and Weak, Master and Servant. Everyone sees different and tries to ruin it all," he bragged, grabbing Ryou's hand in triumph.
Ryou looked at the warm manacle over his hand. All these opposites made sense: but something about it wasn't entirely acceptable. He was too confused to think too much about it.
"Please don't touch me," he requested quietly.
The Spirit's face clouded in anger. He reached for Ryou's wrist and held it tighter.
"I'll touch you anytime I want," the Spirit roared, lifting his free hand to knock Ryou in the head.
"Fine, hurt him again," Malik mocked from the corner. The Fiend paused and glared at him.
"I think Ryou got the point a long time ago." Malik remarked. Ryou watched him as well, confused and surprised.
"Are you challenging me?" the Spirit growled. Ryou whimpered slightly as the grip on his wrist became tighter in his Yami's wrath.
"No, I'm just letting you know Ryou isn't an idiot. He knows who is charge by now. He's just asking you politely to let go of him since you 'care' so much. You don't have act so hostile, you could just say no. He's not gonna do anything about it. You've done a very good job teaching him what not to do." Malik remarked.
"Thank you, Ishtar. Would you like to learn as well?" the Spirit growled, getting ready to attack Malik.
"Yami," Ryou complained. His arm was yanked about while the Fiend stepped towards Malik.
The Dark stopped and looked at him. He dragged Ryou to the door and tossed him into the house.
"Get away from me," he hissed at the boy where he lay on the ground, "Go to your room or something. Just get the Hell out of my sight."
Ryou looked up at him terrified. He rushed to the guest room, slamming the door behind him and locking it.
Crying silently, Ryou crawled onto the bed, tucking his knees in and rocking back and forth. His Yami truly hated him now. They were too deeply sundered by the malfunction of the Ring. The Spirit would leave him. Malik would be disappointed as well. Ryou's father, who obviously couldn't stand the house, would go to Romania. This would render Ryou completely alone. He'd die and not a single would notice save the person paying politely for the undertakers and funeral, where all would cry for how they never felt. They would feel a bit of regret for what they couldn't stop and forget it all in a month.
Ryou decided slowly he would go to Romania then, maybe lose himself in the forests and die even more alone than he was crying. Strangely, the more he thought about it, the better it all seemed.
There was no one to make him feel any better as he listened to Malik and the Spirit of the Ring argue.
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Authoress: Damn, this story has a lot of love going to it by reviewers.
Story [Stiggy]: Hehehe
Authoress: Uh, you aren't doing anything to these reviewers, are you?
Story [Stiggy]: Hehehe
Authoress: Everyone loves you.
Story [Stiggy]: Hehe, kinky!
Authoress: Sorry, Stiggy, not quite that way.
Stiggy: Awe…I want to be loved!
Authoress: You are.
Stiggy: *glares at Ego*
Authoress: Forget it, I don't want you messing with those reviewers.
Stiggy: *in low sexy voice of doom* I love you, Reviewers.
Authoress: Stigmatized, stop it!
Stiggy: I love all of you.
Authoress: Stigmatized, stop hitting on the reviewers, they just want to read the fic!
Stiggy: Don't you all like me too? Won't you come to the desktop screen with me? The background is a collage of hot anime characters. I can show them to you.
Authoress: *grabs story and locks it in the Yugioh desktop folder* Sorry about that everyone. This fic wants to be a lemon and is have some very randy thoughts.
Stiggy: *yelling from file in a high whinny voice* Come on, you were so close in the first chapter! Why not?
Authoress: *puts file under lock* Uh, yeah, the fic's right there. But I thought you didn't want lemon within the first chapter before a plot fell in. That would have been a very painfully bout for Ryou. I felt like I owed Ryou something since I keep beating him up.
Ryou: Arigato.
Authoress: Where did you come from?
Ryou: *is gone*
Authoress: *blinks* Okay…lets go back to the original AN now.
I really am fond of all the reviewers. I got TWENTY-SEVEN! That is three more than last time. Yay! Thank you all!
*hugs reviewers*
I almost didn't update this week because my mom's friend was given orders not to permit me internet access. I finally logged on while the woman was outside [my dad can't afford anything above dial up, dang it]. I was also gone Thursday morning through Saturday night of LAST week on a three-day trip. I wrote this chapter the afternoon I came back, so forgive any hastiness in it and grammar errs. I also got my friend a fanfiction.net account before it started thunderstorming. I'm sorry about all this weather, but it's tornado season (ever seen the movie "Twister"?). If I don't update for four straight weeks, my house is in Oz.
I have a new CD now that is inspiring my sequel a bit. It is "What I Learned About Ego, Opinion, Art, and Commerce" by the Goo Goo Dolls. It has 22 tracks. Very long CD. I was trying to read some Seto/Ryou fics with it on. I kept getting distracted by the songs and wrote some new fan fics and plot outlines. They are not published yet, but I'll consider it.
I'll request at least 10 reviews because I feel like it. Okay? 10 reviews.
This week's question:
B.B. King's guitars are called "Lucille". If you know who B.B. King is [some people don't, actually], do you know why he named the instrument "Lucille"?
This is one of those questions I can't answer for you now. Sorry! I'll let you all know next update. If you know the answer, yay!
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.
COMMENTS & THANKS:
BRITTANY: *timidly hands over the 15th chapter* Here you go. Can I live now?
CYNTHIA CHEN: You're looking forward? Okay, well you can look at my fic now; it's been updated.
NO NAME: Yes, they are kind of switching places, I admit. I'm glad you love the story. I'm giving the story "curious" glances now. It has a lot of loves. I think it's up to something.
MALIK'SGURL: Chopsticks rule. May people who use them prefer them.
CHEESEPUFF: You like Yami Bakura scenes? Good, this is one for you than. ……………..You didn't read the math? Okay, I don't care actually. I wonder if anyone did though?
ALLENBY: Ryou is not becoming HIS Yami. I cannot explain it. He is not taking all of his Dark's personality. Ahhh, I'll explain later or it will ruin everything.
ASHURI CHAN: You hopes may not come true. The item may never fix; Ryou may never be completely okay. At least, not in this part of the fic. Maybe I should work on the sequel a tad more.
YAMI KRISSY: You have a friend named Montana who likes math? Interesting. I used to go to some very good schools before my family moved. Now we can't afford tuition and I'm in public school. It is really weird. Everyone thinks I'm smart. They find it strange I am in all the honors classes available and play guitar. They think idiots play guitar or that smart people only play gospel songs. Okay, lets look at the strangeness in this notion. Why the Hell would I play gospel when I can't sit through one song? Smartness is really overrated. What do they want to see, a sweater and a skirt girl playing happy piano music? Okay….
HIEI-CHAN: I'm continuing. Here is more of my great fanfic.
JOUNOUNCHIS KOI: Ryou isn't so much gaining his Yami's feelings as he is gaining the Shadow's influences. Ponder that for a while till I explain it all.
DEE-WHY-CEE-ARE: I don't think Yami Yuugi is coming back. Malik is not dead.
ASHURI CHAN: Really? Do you know what is happening? Did I not make it pathetically obvious?
ELLE-FATE2X1: Okay, here is more of my great fic.
ASSASSIN OF THE SHADOWS: Here is another chapter. Read and enjoy.
LUNA-ROSE: I'm happy my fic twists so much. I guess my mind does that a lot. I must be twisted with all those cliff hangers.
YUGIFAN: Ryou, my dear reviewer, is obvious not in good humor. I made up the water thing because it sounded cool.
ESCURO DE LA LUS: No, many people are of the opinion I killed Malik actually. It's interesting. …………………….I checked out the pics. Lovely. I want to request Otogi pics. I luv Otogi. ((Ryou: What about me?)) I love Ryou too, but he has enough pictures.
DRAGGY: Yes, I wait for a bit before solving my little fic's mysteries. And all of you can't just jump to the last chapter and find out what happens because currently it is not in existence. One seventy-five-page college rule, spiral notebook answers everything and none of you can see it. Hahahaha! …………….I like to guess the answers to thing. I'll watch five minutes of a movie and already locate all the love triangles [which is why I find it difficult to watch movies]. I read a book and lose interest because I keep guessing correctly the next actions and realize I could have written something a whole lot better. It's sad.
RAYNE: Sorry the math made no sense. You have to take it apart and maybe try to follow each step individually. You're probably a visual learner and I had everything down in facts. Don't worry, I will not be testing everyone on it.
AYMELEH: You like my story! Here is the rest!
NONAME: I think Yami Bakura needs to learn some math to see how triangles are supposed to stand.
THE-DARK-ONE: Awe, I wish you could read the fic. It is really getting good. I'm now on 23 people's favorite author sections. I'll miss all the nice long reviews!
WINGEDWOLF: I am writing fast. But, it's hard to type without a computer on you're only three typing days. I got this almost out in one after noon. And, so you know, when I first didn't update for a week I got more reviews. The second time I got even more. I don't think the readers care, and I give them so many questions about if Ryou will ever be okay. But, I'm updating today, so there is no threat. I try to update once a week, you see. I couldn't last time die to circumstance beyond my control.
STEPHANIE: Okay, I'm still typing, since this is 'cool'.
RESPONDED TO FIFTEENTH CHAPTER NOTE:
ALLENBY: I found out I have to retype all of "Sorry For You…" on a different word document. There seems to be some kind of restriction inbedded in the text file. Currently though, I have no time for all of this. Ergo, that story is not updated yet.
RENEE THE RABID SQUIRREL: Yeah, they are kind of shifting places.
TOKYOGAL89: The Evil Laugh and Me used to share a pen name. We wrote "Sorry For You, Hikari of Yami Bakura" together till she stopped. She finally got AOL and can have her own account.
NONAME: Bakura has an eating problem. That or he's a goat. ……………………My friend actually had me co-write a fic with her before I took over our account. She finally got a screen name and I signed her address for a pen name. She is not The Evil Laugh.
Don't worry peoples; Malik is OKAY! In fact, he's in the first paragraph. Oh, and I'm going back to romance anguish scenes! Yay!
*===*===*===*===* *===*===*===*===*
Stigmatize
Chapter 15: How Things Are Supposed To Be
Malik arrived a half-hour after Ryou's little discovery. By then, the white haired boy was feeling very much normal and sat on the couch. He looked up at the Ishtar in slight amazement.
"What happened to you?" Ryou asked.
"You're idiot Yami's what happened to me," the Egyptian replied, rubbing the back of his neck like there was some pain there, "You'd think I'd tried to steal the Millennium Ring."
Ryou tilted his head in confusion at this,
"What did you do, Malik?"
"I apparently committed the great felony of helping his Hikari. That sadistic freak is too protective over everything," Malik informed him, still standing.
"What did he do?" Ryou asked, curious.
"Knocked me over the head and dragged my unconscious limbs to some lot three blocks down."
Ryou nodded at this slowly. Why had his Dark felt entitled to do such a thing to Malik? What was the point?
"You know, Ryou, being all day sleeping in a gutter makes a person hungry. You won't chase me three blocks screaming if I get some food, would you?" Malik asked, heading hopefully for the kitchen.
"No," Ryou answered, leading Malik to the cabinets.
"Kind of hard to believe only two people have to eat here, eh?" he remarked to Malik's eyes widening at the rows upon rows of canned food.
"Uh, I think this one is okay," Malik informed, grabbing a can of diced fruit.
Ryou pointed at the can opener.
"Open it, I think you can manage that," he stated before Malik handed him the metal container.
"Awe," Malik pouted turning around.
"Oh, and I think you are fully capable of getting your own bowl as well," Ryou continued, kicking the lower cabinet where said item were held.
"What ever happened to serving the guest? Do you have an hospitality?" Malik complained, trying to get the can opened.
"I'm letting you eat my food, aren't I?" Ryou asked annoyingly.
"Well, then I'll make a note not to come over anymore." Malik snapped with the seriousness of threat often posed by feather pillows.
"Good, you'll probably live longer." Ryou answered, with very little sarcasm. Malik sighed in frustration at this.
"Will you do anything I ask?" Malik groaned.
"If you ask nicely," Ryou answered, sitting down at the kitchen table.
"Will you please get me a bowl then?" Malik requested.
"No," Ryou answered calmly.
"Why not?" Malik complained again.
"You're a whole lot closer than I am to the cabinet."
Malik frowned, realizing this was true. Muttering some incoherent phrases to himself, the Egyptian leaned down and grabbed a bowl. He dumped the fruit in with a loud plop and pulled up a chair across from Ryou. He held up two spoons.
"Will you help me eat this, please?" he inquired, "No man could do such a thing alone."
Ryou glared at him unintentionally.
"I'm not hungry," he stated.
"Oh, come on, of course you are! How can you not be a little by ravenous after all that's been happening the past three days?" Malik asked, holding out a spoon.
"I can't eat," Ryou informed him.
"You're Dark isn't restricting you from food, is he?" Malik asked, taking his friend's statement entirely the wrong way.
"No," Ryou answered quickly.
"Then eat," Malik ordered.
"I can't," Ryou repeated.
"Are you allergic to fruit or something?" Malik asked in annoyance.
"I'm allergic to everything maybe," Ryou replied quietly.
"I feel like I don't know something. What's the matter, Ryou?" Malik inquired, finally realizing something was wrong.
"I haven't really eaten for three days," Ryou informed him, keeping the whole situation back still.
"You must feel terrible," Malik remarked.
"No, that's what's wrong," Ryou finally informed him, "I don't. I didn't even notice."
Malik's eyebrows shot up slightly, showing his surprise.
"Why?" he questioned, not entirely sure Ryou could answer.
Ryou reached around his neck for the Millennium Ring and held it out to the other. Malik grabbed it lightly.
"It's cold," the Ishtar reported, hastily dropping the item again.
"Yes, and it's ruined everything too. We don't know what to do." Ryou told his friend, watching the pendant.
Malik nodded, pick up his spoon.
"I don't know what's wrong either, but I don't think it will stay broken forever. You should ask Shaddi about it. He might know, being the bigheaded guardian and all. I mean; he's got all that "fathomless" knowledge on the Millennium Items." Malik suggested.
"What if he doesn't know?"
Malik shrugged casually at this," Well, it will sure shut that freak's mouth, now will it? You'd be doing the entire Millennium Item community a huge favour."
Ryou glared at him," Are you even taking me seriously? If you're assuming I'm optimistic, you're right, but I'm not stupid. I really want to know what's wrong, Malik."
The Egyptian nodded, suddenly less humorous. In fact, Ryou thought the face was a lie; it was up so fast. When the other spoke, some of Ryou's doubts were relieved.
"I know. I'll try to help you find Shaddi. He really does know a lot, much more than you, me, or Isis."
Ryou nodded slightly in agreement. He listened as the front door opened and turned to Malik worried. The boy shock his head and made no attempt to get up. Ryou tensed nervously as Malik continued to eat calmly.
Ryou watched the entrance to the room as he heard clumsy, wonderfully mortal created footsteps approaching. His father was soon present. There was a linen bandage shining brightly the man's dark head and he held an ice pack in a free hand.
"Hello," the man greeted, looking at Ryou and Malik.
Malik pushed the bowl casually towards an empty seat and sticking the second spoon into the fruit, inviting the man over. Ryou's father walked over and sat down.
"And you are?" he ask, diving the utensil into the gooey, wet food and lifting it.
"Malik Ishtar, Ryou's friend," Malik answered, taking another bit and swallowing before adding on, "It's great you're here now, sir. There is no way I can eat all of this, and you're son happens to not be very hungry."
Ryou made a random gesture in agreement. His father raised his eyebrow only slightly and continued eating. Between this second bite he choked suddenly, seeing the Millennium Ring.
"Why's…?" he trailed off.
"Oh, sorry," Ryou apologized, quickly placing the item under his shirt.
"So," he remarked finished putting the Ring up and killing a silence ready to form, "What happened, Father? How did your head get hurt?"
His father sighed, "That crazy Spirit decided it would do right proper to black me out with a meat mallet."
Malik made a tisk sound with his tongue, "How uncivilized!"
"Aye, someone need to teach that daemon some manners," the man agreed, turned to Ryou who nodded quickly.
"I wish we could get rid of the pest. He does the most horrid things to us un staying here," Ryou's father muttered. His son nodded halfheartedly at this since the man still watched him. Malik noticed his discomfort. Quickly the Egyptian shoveled the last of the fruit in seconds to divert the adult's attention.
"That was quite rude," the man scowled, "Why'd you just inhale the last of the food like that? You might as well have eaten the spoon and bowl with it."
"Oh, well I guess I was just so hungry, sir," Malik apologized, winking at Ryou. The white haired boy smiled slightly in return.
"Eat much?" the man asked.
"High metabolism," Malik nearly sang.
"Whatever, boy. I guess I'll go to sleep now. It's late and my head is killing me. I have to go to a site in Romania in a few days. Some colleagues unearthed a small village in the mountains."
"You're leaving?" Ryou blurted out in surprise.
"Sorry it's such short notice, Ryou, but I only go my assignment this afternoon. I'm going as soon as possible. I could maybe bring you if you'd like, it's still Summer vacation."
"I'll think about it, father," Ryou quickly tried to recover his outburst.
"Of course, but you know, if you hadn't come home yesterday evening, I wouldn't have gone. But, thankfully, you're back. I hope it stays that way," the man informed him.
Ryou nodded, hiding his disappointment and confusion. His father rose slowly at this and left. Ryou listened to him moving before getting up and walking to the back porch. He sat down on a chair. Malik followed and remained standing behind him.
"You should go home now. Yami might come back and your sister is probably worried."
Malik just shrugged, not really caring. Ryou chose to ignore him. It was the Ishtar's choice whether to go or stay. Ryou didn't really feel like doing anything, much less ordering the other to leave. He just thought about his Father's offer.
Romania, how little he knew about that part of the world to the west. What he knew even less was why in the world his father had to go there. That had to be one of the places more different from Domino than Ryou had ever worried about. Of course, his father would have never agreed if Ryou had been gone just one day longer. The man wanted him home.
Ryou didn't even want to go to Romania. He'd just be introducing his Yami to another part of the world. The Fiend might get angry, which would ruin whatever Ryou's father was trying to do. The boy couldn't do such a thing to the man.
"Are you going with your father?" Malik finally asked.
"No, Yami would just get in the way," Ryou replied quietly.
Malik and put his hand on Ryou's shoulder sending a chill up his spine. The white haired boy quickly pulled away. He didn't care how normal the gesture was.
"If you don't stop it with my Hikari I will kill you, Ishtar," a voice growled from inside the house. Ryou closed his eyes and waited for what was going to happen.
"When, you don't seem too concerned about him," Malik shot back, alarming Ryou.
"Quiet, Mortal, before I make you regret being born. You don't know anything about this," the Spirit hissed.
Ryou opened his eyes and turned around to the two feuding beings. He suddenly realized just how egotistical his Dark's remark had been.
"Yami?" he asked, looking at the Fiend best he could, "I want to know something."
"Yes?" the Spirit growled, glaring at Malik.
Ryou paused before continuing, watching the Fiend nervously.
"Can you tell me exactly what makes everything Malik says wrong and what makes everything you don't say right? I'm afraid it's quite hard for me to grasp. You tell me you hate me and, you tell others you hate me. Now you just said Malik didn't understand and to shut up. You told him he didn't know. Well, what didn't he get because I'm afraid I don't either. How come I shouldn't believe him over you when all you do is contradict yourself?" Ryou asked, his voice almost painfully polite and drown in respect and curiosity.
"Why you tyrannical, petite little fool," the Yami growled, smirking, "You silver tongued little child, trying to trap me in my secrecy. You really must think you have it all explain. You think you understand my motives. What, do you think there's a reason to my insanity? You think that maybe inside I have the guilt to rival on of those petty little saints, don't you? You're wrong, boy, so don't even try to hurt me with your convictions, backed by that pathetic Ishtar."
Malik growled at the Spirit, clenching his fists. Ryou just watched them both as his Yami mocked the Egyptian.
"Oh yes, the Malik Ishtar. He doesn't want you, Hikari, he only thinks he does because I will not let him have you. He just wants to get back at me because he thinks I deserve it. Going to him would be a great mistake, child. He'd drop you so fast that you'd keep falling till you hit the uttermost bottom in some forgotten side of Hell."
"Why you daemonic ass," Malik started, heading for the Fiend.
"Stop," Ryou ordered nervously from where he sat, "Don't fight."
Malik stopped dead and reached for Ryou's arm, "But Ryou, you don't believe-"
"Get off me," Ryou ordered, pulling away. Yami Bakura smirked.
"You see, Ryou, you do need me. I will always be here. I understand you better than anyone will ever even bother. I am the Yami; you are the Hikari. Don't worry about those pesky mortals getting in the path of the way things are supposed to be: Dark and Light, Strong and Weak, Master and Servant. Everyone sees different and tries to ruin it all," he bragged, grabbing Ryou's hand in triumph.
Ryou looked at the warm manacle over his hand. All these opposites made sense: but something about it wasn't entirely acceptable. He was too confused to think too much about it.
"Please don't touch me," he requested quietly.
The Spirit's face clouded in anger. He reached for Ryou's wrist and held it tighter.
"I'll touch you anytime I want," the Spirit roared, lifting his free hand to knock Ryou in the head.
"Fine, hurt him again," Malik mocked from the corner. The Fiend paused and glared at him.
"I think Ryou got the point a long time ago." Malik remarked. Ryou watched him as well, confused and surprised.
"Are you challenging me?" the Spirit growled. Ryou whimpered slightly as the grip on his wrist became tighter in his Yami's wrath.
"No, I'm just letting you know Ryou isn't an idiot. He knows who is charge by now. He's just asking you politely to let go of him since you 'care' so much. You don't have act so hostile, you could just say no. He's not gonna do anything about it. You've done a very good job teaching him what not to do." Malik remarked.
"Thank you, Ishtar. Would you like to learn as well?" the Spirit growled, getting ready to attack Malik.
"Yami," Ryou complained. His arm was yanked about while the Fiend stepped towards Malik.
The Dark stopped and looked at him. He dragged Ryou to the door and tossed him into the house.
"Get away from me," he hissed at the boy where he lay on the ground, "Go to your room or something. Just get the Hell out of my sight."
Ryou looked up at him terrified. He rushed to the guest room, slamming the door behind him and locking it.
Crying silently, Ryou crawled onto the bed, tucking his knees in and rocking back and forth. His Yami truly hated him now. They were too deeply sundered by the malfunction of the Ring. The Spirit would leave him. Malik would be disappointed as well. Ryou's father, who obviously couldn't stand the house, would go to Romania. This would render Ryou completely alone. He'd die and not a single would notice save the person paying politely for the undertakers and funeral, where all would cry for how they never felt. They would feel a bit of regret for what they couldn't stop and forget it all in a month.
Ryou decided slowly he would go to Romania then, maybe lose himself in the forests and die even more alone than he was crying. Strangely, the more he thought about it, the better it all seemed.
There was no one to make him feel any better as he listened to Malik and the Spirit of the Ring argue.
*===*===*===*===*
Authoress: Damn, this story has a lot of love going to it by reviewers.
Story [Stiggy]: Hehehe
Authoress: Uh, you aren't doing anything to these reviewers, are you?
Story [Stiggy]: Hehehe
Authoress: Everyone loves you.
Story [Stiggy]: Hehe, kinky!
Authoress: Sorry, Stiggy, not quite that way.
Stiggy: Awe…I want to be loved!
Authoress: You are.
Stiggy: *glares at Ego*
Authoress: Forget it, I don't want you messing with those reviewers.
Stiggy: *in low sexy voice of doom* I love you, Reviewers.
Authoress: Stigmatized, stop it!
Stiggy: I love all of you.
Authoress: Stigmatized, stop hitting on the reviewers, they just want to read the fic!
Stiggy: Don't you all like me too? Won't you come to the desktop screen with me? The background is a collage of hot anime characters. I can show them to you.
Authoress: *grabs story and locks it in the Yugioh desktop folder* Sorry about that everyone. This fic wants to be a lemon and is have some very randy thoughts.
Stiggy: *yelling from file in a high whinny voice* Come on, you were so close in the first chapter! Why not?
Authoress: *puts file under lock* Uh, yeah, the fic's right there. But I thought you didn't want lemon within the first chapter before a plot fell in. That would have been a very painfully bout for Ryou. I felt like I owed Ryou something since I keep beating him up.
Ryou: Arigato.
Authoress: Where did you come from?
Ryou: *is gone*
Authoress: *blinks* Okay…lets go back to the original AN now.
I really am fond of all the reviewers. I got TWENTY-SEVEN! That is three more than last time. Yay! Thank you all!
*hugs reviewers*
I almost didn't update this week because my mom's friend was given orders not to permit me internet access. I finally logged on while the woman was outside [my dad can't afford anything above dial up, dang it]. I was also gone Thursday morning through Saturday night of LAST week on a three-day trip. I wrote this chapter the afternoon I came back, so forgive any hastiness in it and grammar errs. I also got my friend a fanfiction.net account before it started thunderstorming. I'm sorry about all this weather, but it's tornado season (ever seen the movie "Twister"?). If I don't update for four straight weeks, my house is in Oz.
I have a new CD now that is inspiring my sequel a bit. It is "What I Learned About Ego, Opinion, Art, and Commerce" by the Goo Goo Dolls. It has 22 tracks. Very long CD. I was trying to read some Seto/Ryou fics with it on. I kept getting distracted by the songs and wrote some new fan fics and plot outlines. They are not published yet, but I'll consider it.
I'll request at least 10 reviews because I feel like it. Okay? 10 reviews.
This week's question:
B.B. King's guitars are called "Lucille". If you know who B.B. King is [some people don't, actually], do you know why he named the instrument "Lucille"?
This is one of those questions I can't answer for you now. Sorry! I'll let you all know next update. If you know the answer, yay!