I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Rhapsody Moonschild and Tat Claire Kokoro
|~*Rhapsody: Okay, we know, we know… The last chapter was short! Thank you, Tat-chan…
Tat: Can't help writer's block, can you?
Rhapsody: **scuffs foot nervously, thinking of "Mixing Magic" (abandoned)** Er… guess not…
Tat: **to audience** Yu-Gi-Oh! doesn't belong to us. Deal with it.
Rhapsody: **kindly** There are some good counselors out there for that. Ask Tat for her shrink's number.
Tat: **evil glare to Rhap-chan** Go on, read the story, for Goshen's sake… **mutters under breath…** *~|
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO (by Rhapsody)
Yami's POV
I awaken slowly, yawn, and stretch. It's another wonderful Saturday… No school for Ryou, so we have the whole day to ourselves. I had plans for us…
I dress, eat, make myself presentable, and then glance at the clock. Twenty until ten. Ryou would be here at ten… I sit down on the couch to wait.
Ten comes and goes and as it approaches ten-thirty I am becoming worried. "Where's Ryou?" Yugi asks as he comes in with Anzu, who nods to second the question.
"I don't know," I say desperately. What could be keeping him? I pick up the phone and dial his number—more familiar than our own. It rings once, twice, and then the answering machine comes on.
"—Is this thing recording? Damn it! [scuffling noises] Er… This is Bakura's house. You've obviously reached the wrong number—get lost! [another voice continues] Or leave a message after the beep for Master. Thank you. [beep!]"
What… what is this? Is this a joke? Did Ryou call Bakura… Master?
I've got to get over there. I don't bother to hang up the phone or lock the door behind me as I rush off to Ryou's.
"Ryou, open up!" I request desperately as I bang on his door. I pause as he answers it.
"Yes, may I help you?" He gives me a curious look, tilting his head to one side. I can see… the beginning of a bruise on his cheek, and knife marks on his arms… WHAT'S GOING ON?!?
"Ryou, you're hurt!" I grab his hands and turn them over, examining them. There are burns… "Oh Ra, has Bakura come back?!" Scared desperately for my koi, I pull him into a tight embrace that strangely he does not return.
"Where would Master have gone? May I help you?" he asks, his head pressed against my chest.
I pull back until my hands only rest on his shoulders and return his curious look. "What has happened to you?" I ask softly and sadly, and trace a finger down his face. He grabs my hand and gives me a strange look.
"Do I know you?"