Rowan: Now I give you Chapter 3 of "CinderRyou"!

Sakura: And we should be happy because…?

Rowan: Because Chapter 4 is the party itself, which I'm sure everyone is dying to read…

Sakura: But not as much as you are dying to read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, right?

Rowan: Of course not, but still-

Sakura: Well then why do you bother?

Rowan: What? Whatever.

Disclaimer: The sun will revolve around the Earth before I own YGO!, so there!

Sakura: But the sun does revolve around the Earth!

Rowan: *mutters * Dark Age Baka.

Sakura: What you say?

Rowan: Nothing!

Warning: Cross-dressing, cursing, Shounen-ai, and Anzu-bashing. Don't like, don't read! Oh, and a little bit of Ryou-bashing as well, a la Bakura no less.

Previously:

They walked in silence for a time before Ryuuji spoke. "Say, Seto, it won't be too bad. Malik Ishtal, with his co-CEOs Marik and Bakura, will be there. I hear he too likes guys, so maybe he'd be interested. I hear he's quite handsome."

Seto let this information sink in. "Interesting. Maybe we will hook up. I'll have to watch for him at the party." They reached Seto's quarters then, so they said good-bye and left Seto to change. As Seto put on his tuxedo, he thought about what was going to happen that evening. He walked to the ballroom to greet the guests, not knowing what to expect…

CinderRyou

Chapter 3

Ryou waited patiently as Bakura, Marik, and Malik considered his request, not knowing what to expect. Finally, his harsh twin turned back to him with a cold glint in his eye. "How could you even entertain the idea of going to Honda's party? I mean, look at you Ryou. You're a dirty piece of shit. You sleep in soot for Kami-sama's sake! Your hair is the color of cinders and you smell like crap. You've probably got a disease, you've certainly got lice and ticks. Besides, you've got nothing to wear."

Ryou looked down at his grubby appearance as his brother and master's insults flooded over him. He felt his eyes water up when he realized that everything his brother said was nothing but the cold truth. Ryou quickly dashed up the stairs to his attic, where he flung himself on his cot and cried his lonely little heart out.

Ryou lay there for hours, how long he didn't know. At around half-past eight he felt Yuugi and Yami scramble up the bedcovers to their friend. With comforting squeaks and nudges, they coaxed the teen to get up.

Ryou looked at the white and black mice with gratefulness. "Arigatou guys for believing in me. I tried, but Bakura said no, just like I knew he would. Oh, I wish more than anything that Mom were here now."

Yami peeped impatiently at the white-haired boy as he pulled on his pant leg.

"Eh? What is it Yami?" The dark mouse ran down the stairs, stopping occasionally to ensure that Ryou was following him, until they came to the foyer, where he skidded to a halt centimeters away from a young woman's feet.

"Wha- what are you doing here? And who are you?" Ryou demanded, flustered by the stranger's sudden appearance.

Purple eyes met Ryou's soft ginger ones. She smiled amiably as she flicked a stray blonde strand out of her eyes. "Hello Ryou. I'm Mai the Magician. I'm an old friend of your mother's."

"An old friend? But-but you don't look more than two years my senior! How could you possibly be an 'old friend' of my mom's?"

"Well, I am a magician Ryou. For me, appearing no older than 18 years old is no difficult feat for me," she replied with a knowing smile.

"Um, okay. But, how do you know my name? I've never met you before, Mai," Ryou said, watching her suspiciously.

"I've met you before though. But you wouldn't remember that, now would you? No, of course not! You were just a child then."

"Excuse me? I'm very confused by you Mai. You're a magician, I get that part. But why would you have only seen me once when I was a child too young to remember anything? Please explain to me!"

Mai smiled. "Why, Ryou dear, I'm your godmother!"

"God-godmother! You! But- but why didn't my mom tell me about you?"

"Mmm, good question. You got me there Ryou. But what does it matter anyway? You know now, right? That's what counts."

Ryou nodded in agreement. "But what are you doing here now? You've been gone for over 15 years, then tonight of all nights you decide to drop by?"

"Oh, well, you see, Ryou, I kinda set up this magical device that would alert me if ever my favorite godson was in need of my help. It never went off until tonight, so I never came until this evening. So, Ryou, what ails you?"

Ryou stuttered uncertainly. "Well, er…you see…I wanted to, um, go..to , um, this party but Bakura said I couldn't so…I'm not going."

Mai smiled and clapped her hands excitedly, startling Ryou, Yuugi, and Yami. "Oh, I can help you there! This is going to be so much fun! C'mon Ryou, I'll get you fixed up properly!" Mai cried as she grabbed Ryou's arm and pulled him up the stairs and into the bathroom.

About half an hour later, Ryou was completely clean, the stench of ashes scrubbed away. His hair had been heavily shampooed, washing away the coat of soot that had hidden the beautiful silver mane. Ryou fairly glowed with cleanliness. The teen was very grateful to his newly found godmother, until he saw what she wanted him to wear to the party. "No, I refuse to wear that! Arigatou forever Mai for what you've done for me, but I will not wear that!"

The blonde held the sparkly white dress up. "Oh, but Ryou, you'll look gorgeous in it! Like an angel!"

"I'll look like a girl!" Ryou pleaded.

"Well, it is a dress Ryou. But please, Ryou? For me?"

Ryou sighed. He was much too tired to argue with Mai, so he grudgingly gave in. "Alright, I'll wear the dress Mai, if it makes you happy."

"Thank you Ryou! Here, put it on!"

Ryou slipped the silky garment on as he asked himself, 'Why me?'

---*---

'Why me? Why do I have to sit next to her?' Seto asked himself as his companion beside him chatted on and on.

"Oh Setokins, you really should try the sweet potatoes. They're heavenly, especially with a sprinkle of cinnamon on it!" A fork was raised to the brunette's mouth. "Open wide, Setokins!"

Seto glared at the girl. "What have I told you about calling me 'Setokins', Anzu? And have you forgotten already that I am allergic to cinnamon?" he gritted out.

Anzu shrugged. "Oh, really? You're allergic to cinnamon? That's a pity. I love cinnamon. Why, practically everything I bake has cinnamon in it. It adds flavor to it, don't you think? Oh, especially my apple pie. I add practically an entire cup of cinnamon to it. You really ought to try my apple pie, Seto deary. It's simply heavenly. My mother taught me how to bake. She was the best cook in all of Domino. Have you ever…"

Anzu continued chatting on and on, but Seto easily tuned her out. He ate his supper mechanically, staring around the room without really noticing anyone or thing.

Jounouchi and Shizuka Katsuya sat beside Honda Hiroto and his two sons Seto and Mokuba. Jou and Honda were deep in conversation, discussing business in Japan. Shizuka looked over at the older son of Hiroto, who looked like he was totally spacing out, and Shizuka could definitely see why as she caught Anzu's ceaseless gabbing. Finally, Shizuka could take it no longer. "Shut the hell up! Can't you see you're boring Seto Kaiba to death and annoying the crap out of everyone else?"

Anzu, and everyone else in the immediate vicinity, turned to Shizuka with shocked expressions on their faces, excluding Seto, who was giving Shizuka a very grateful look. "Ano…onegai?" she added sheepishly.

Anzu humphed haughtily. "Excuse me, I have to visit the powder room for a moment. I must cleanse myself of the foul language that was just uttered here." She quickly exited the dining room where they were sitting.

Seto was bent over his plate, his sides shaking with laughter. Everyone else returned to their conversations, not before shooting Shizuka a thankful glance; apparently Anzu's chatter had been bothering the people around her.

Shizuka smiled softly to herself. "Well, that's better," she remarked.

A teen about her own age with striking raven hair grinned across the table at Shizuka. "You've certainly gained points as far as Seto is concerned. He absolutely hates Anzu, and I don't blame him," he said, making a face at the mention of the annoying brunette girl.

" Well, that's comforting to know…?"

"Mokuba. Mokuba Kaiba. I'm Seto's brother."

"I'm Shizuka Katsuya, Jounouchi Katsuya's sister. I don't really want to 'gain points' as far as your brother's concerned. My brother wanted me to come and try to 'win him', but I always wanted to find true love. You know, not marry for money, but because the feelings are there," Shizuka whispered confidentially to Mokuba.

"Well, no need to worry about Seto picking you or anything. He's, um…a homo."

"A homo?"

"Homosexual. As in, he likes guys."

Shizuka smiled in relief. "Really?"

"Yeah, so you've got nothing to worry about."

"What about you? What do you like?" Shizuka asked curiously.

"I'm not sure exactly. I like you though, Shizuka." Mokuba blushed when he realized what he said.

"Really? I, um, like you too."

Music started playing in the background as people finished their meals and got up to dance. "You-you like me too?"

Shizuka beamed at the teen. "Yeah."

Mokuba smiled back. "Ano…do you want to dance?"

"I'd love to Mokuba." The two got up and started waltzing around the ballroom, getting lost within the other dancing couples.

Seto watched as his brother gracefully lead the girl around the dance floor. He was happy for Mokuba, but he couldn't wait for the evening to end.

---*---*---*---

Rowan: Yeah, I know, I usually have three parts in my chapters, but this chapter was getting way too long! Besides, lots happened, didn't it?

Sakura: Yeah, lots did happen.

Rowan: Like Mai is now in the story. And I think that there might be a little romance between Mokuba and Shizuka.

Sakura: You think? You're the author for crying out loud!

Rowan: Oh, right.

Sakura: Ryou's gonna wear a dress! Hehehe!

Ryou: Hey, it's not funny!

Rowan: Yes it is!

Ryou: But I only thought Malik would cross dress!

Sakura: You thought wrong.

Ryou: :P

Rowan: Yeah…Anyway, if you want me to continue, just tell me in a review. (Hint, hint!)

Sakura: Yes, we really enjoy reviews, don't we?

Ryou: Don't encourage her! Don't review!

Rowan: Ryou, please! Don't confuse the readers!

Ryou: What readers?

Rowan: Hey! There's plenty of people reading this story! Er, I hope! Let me know that you actually are reading this by reviewing! Onegai?

Thank Yous:

Thanks to all who reviewed Chapter 2! @chibidark angel: Yeah, Yami and Yuugi are cute as mice. And there really is nothing wrong w/ talking to them, Ryou just has some issues. Ryou: Me? I'm the one with issues? Rowan: ^____^Yup! Oo, and you really shouldn't be so rough on Jou, I mean, he's not all that pushy. And, come to think of it, if it weren't for him Shizuka never would've met the younger Kaiba, so all's well that ends well, and the story hasn't even ended yet! @Promise: Hope this chapter is just as hilarious as the last two were!