Soul's Face
Alright, I've deemed I have sufficient reviews to update ^^ Arigato to all of you!!! (throws confetti)
Shinju: My Muse is off on a pout fit, so . . . ^^ (places a small wooden doll on the computer desk) Meet lil White Magic User Bakura avatar!
Avatar: Ano . . . Konnichi wa?
Shinju: So kawaii!!!! ^^ And he even inspired a nice long chapter for me!
Avatar: (blushes)
Shinju: He's so nice to me ^^ And my only good friend in study hall
Avatar: -_- I sense your "my preciousssss" coming up. If you do, I'll whap you with my staff.
Shinju: ^^ Telepathic powers. Anyway . . . . Let's get back to this fic now, shall we?
Warnings: Uh . . . flying cherry blossoms!!! (ducks) And overuse of the word tact for lack of a synonym I liked. . . . And yesh, Honda's kinda strange. . .
Japanese:
Sakura- cherry blossom
Nani- what
Sayonara- bye
((+)~
For even well intentions may go awry and spring hidden traps.
~*~*~*~*~
Honda stuffed his hands in his pockets, paying no real attention to where he was going. The park was nice this time of year, definitely helping to clear his mind.
He'd been hanging around Jou too long, now he couldn't keep his temper in check. He snickered softly at that thought.
But, really, he should have snapped like that. Now he would wander about brooding for a few hours, then go back and apologize. Keeps life relatively simple. . . . .
The ends of his tan trench coat [mwahaha, the trench coats. . . . Yeah, I'm shutting up now] fluttered out slightly behind him as he turned sharply off the path, heading to a more secluded part of the park.
There was a pond down there someplace, Honda remembered. Nice places, ponds. . .
He let his mind continue to ramble on rather senselessly in that strain as he tilted his head back, staring at where the sky met the treetops.
Odd, he thought. That tree seems to have a lot of empty space in it, almost no branches on that part. He tilted his head slightly, to get a different angle of the patch of blue sky behind the blossoms and leaves.
'Hey, wait a second . . .' His suspicions grew as he got closer. Sure enough, there was someone sitting up there. Jeans and a sky blue jacket, combined with their pale hair and skin blending among the flowers, had camouflaged the figure from a distance.
The boy was sitting cross-legged in the tree, staring into nowhere through the screen of leaves and sakura blossoms.
Honda moved towards the base of the trunk, neck craned upwards to get a better look.
"Bakura?"
The boy started, his head jerking down.
"Oh, konnichi wa, Honda-kun." He gave a half-smile. "Were you standing there long?"
Honda laughed. "No, actually. Only long enough to debate whether or not I'd make you fall out of the tree."
"Planning to join me, or should I climb down from my perch?"
"No need." Honda pulled himself up into the tree, sitting on a branch on the opposite side.
You could tell a lot about a person from their eyes, he had realized. Usually, the purest expression of their emotions rested in them. And people, he had also learned, were always more than one thing, complex in personality and mind. And they were hard to describe or put into words.
But somehow, with Bakura he had come to a silent understanding.
The boy didn't mind, and was somewhat reassured, by Honda's "older brotherly" presence. But you just didn't bug the white-haired boy, didn't pry into his business despite your concern. He was a private person, and could be a rather stubborn and noble ass at times; he'd ask for your help when he wanted it.
So Honda stood back, watched over him, and would offer support until he was truly needed.
So Ryou, in turn, came to an understanding with Honda.
Relieved that the other boy wouldn't interfere if he let any of his problems slide, Ryou was more vocal around him, letting Honda read his emotions. Honda didn't like to be kept in the dark, and Ryou didn't mind allowing the brunette to read him.
Honda was loyal in this way, though he didn't show it off as much as Jou did, therefore not earning himself any dog comments. It was just the kind of quiet and background support Ryou was comfortable with.
Honda plucked one of the sakura blossoms off the tree, twirling it around between his fingers.
A sudden impish grin lit up his face, and he flicked the flower at Ryou, hitting him right between the eyes.
The boy ran a gentle hand through his bangs, the pale fingers removing the offending blossom from his silver tresses. Brown eyes locked into Honda's won, as he tried to keep up a reproachful glare.
"Mou, Honda-kun, you're so mean, throwing things at me." The grin broke through, illuminating his face, as he swiftly flicked the flower back at the taller boy.
Honda caught it in midair just before it hit his face, much to Ryou's chagrin.
"You've ruined it," he said, almost mournfully.
Honda winked and shook his head. He opened his hand, revealing the flower to be un-rumpled, looking even untouched.
Ryou's eyebrows rose slightly, and though his expression hadn't changed much, Honda could tell the boy was thoroughly pleased. It was beyond him why something so simple delighted the chocolate-eyed boy so much, but he was happy to do it.
He gently laid his hand on top of Honda's, slender fingers grasping almost reverently at the delicate pink petals. But the light in his eyes dimmed, fading slowly, and he knocked the blossom to the ground. He retreated back to his branch of the tree, drawing his knees to his chin and lapsing back into silence.
Honda blinked, but stayed quiet, curious. Bakura had obviously thought Honda had ceased to exist, just dropped out of reality for the moment. That, or more likely Ryou had dropped out of reality and neglected to take Honda with him.
She had been named Sakura. She was pretty and perfect, just like that flower. He had liked her. She had made him feel all funny, but he forgave her, because it was nice in a way. She was nice. It was a shame he'd gotten rid of her. It was a same he'd never saved her. It was a shame a single wooden tear forever marred her pretty little face. Perhaps he'd been afraid she'd reject him if he set her free. Now he had her forever. And she had never blamed him, she had only cried.
But really, it was a shame he'd worse than killed her.
"Bakura."
He turned around to face the boy, broken out of his musings, brown eyes wide and scared, pools of emotion.
Honda bit his lip; he hadn't been _trying_ to make the boy go all "deer in the headlights" and "I'm gonna die!" on him. He could tell the boy was, in the midst of his shock, seriously contemplating running as fast as he could, or getting mou hitori no Bakura to threaten Honda into silence, and then running away.
"Why don't we go someplace else to talk? I don't think the park is the best distraction to get away and think anymore," Honda said placidly, waving his arm out in a sweeping gesture. "Too many people."
Ryou nodded numbly, rapidly thanking kami-sama in his head repeatedly for Honda's mercy. When Ryou slipped up like that, people always got worried, and then they'd interfere with his problems, and it all ended in death and destruction on many levels.
"We can go to my house," Ryou spoke up after he finished his gratitude, and jumped out of the tree.
Honda complied, following Ryou's example. All he could do was hang along for the ride until Ryou got whatever it was out of his system.
'Bakura just gets weirder and weirder by the day. . . Ya know, I think strange things are just attracted to our little group. . . .'
Honda put his arms behind his head as he walked, trying to think of something to break the silence.
"People space out all the time, you know," he said, calm and offhand in manner.
Ryou turned his head partway around, a small smile playing around his lips. "Oh really?"
Honda nodded solemnly. "Oh yes, really. Why, I've seen Jou space out in class many a time."
"Are you sure he isn't just thinking about his schoolwork?"
Honda winked. "It's always the class before lunch. You decided."
The banters they had were strange. Often, the words were meaningless, full of lighthearted jokes that didn't mean a thing. It was Honda's way of reassuring Bakura, and his way of getting his mind off things. And anyone outside the conversation would just assume it was friends sharing a moment of fun.
They carried on in this strain the whole way to Ryou's apartment, both boys grinning as they reached his door.
"You know, they're right when they say that sometimes you have to take a break from your problems, get away for a while."
Ryou pushed the door lightly open as Honda finished speaking, then turned to face the other boy, the sparkle gone from his eyes, his voice suddenly solemn.
"Yes, but you can't run forever."
'Note to self: get more tact! Oh well, if I've gone this far, I might as well go the rest of the way . . . .'
He followed Ryou inside, the two of them sitting down in the living room. Honda gathered up his resolve, before starting in what he hoped was an offhand tone.
"You know, you worry Yugi and the others sometimes."
Ryou blinked, asking, "I do?"
"Now, would I lie to you?"
"Yes, but not about this," Ryou replied seriously.
"Errr. . . .anyway, Jou seemed to get the impression the other day that you'd been sad. Being the private person you are, they got all fired up and decided it was something horrible."
Ryou bit his lip, staring down at his hands resting in his lap.
"Don't worry, it's probably just because it was such a strange week. They were probably already suspicious because nothing concerning you happened for a while," Honda tried to pacify the distraught boy.
He blinked, a puzzled look coming over his face. "Nani?"
Honda laughed slightly. "You haven't noticed that every bad thing that doesn't involve attempts to steal your item, plus half of the power struggles, involve you? You're a magnet fated to attract misfortune, Bakura."
"That's not a very positive outlook on me. . . ." the silvery-haired boy murmured.
"Just don't stress yourself out. Things pass," Honda advised.
"Sometimes I get the feeling you can read minds."
"Does it scare you?"
"Very much so, Honda-kun." Ryou forced a smile upon his face.
The brunette gave a wry grin. "Well, I guess it's time for me to take my leave." He stood up.
Ryou also got up, following him to the doorway of the living room.
"Sayonara, then."
"Sayonara," Honda replied with a wave.
A soft whisper broke his stride for a moment, causing him to pause and smile to himself.
"Arigato. . ."
Maybe he wasn't so hopeless when it came to people skills after all.
He continued to the door, a moment before all hell broke loose.
((+)~
EVILE CLIFFY!!! MWAHAHA!!!
IMPORTANT!!! I NEED HELP!!! The sooner someone who knows about Duel Monsters cards and what people have in their decks helps me, the sooner the cliffhanger gets resolved ^^ Any takers?
This chapter was a bit longer, ne? -_- Say yesh, peoples . . . .
Avatar: If anyone mentions yaoi or shounen ai about the sakura scene, I _will_ kill you. . . violently. . . . .
Shinju: Awww, isn't he so sweet? ^^ Anyway, please review!
-Windswift Shinju ((+)~
Alright, I've deemed I have sufficient reviews to update ^^ Arigato to all of you!!! (throws confetti)
Shinju: My Muse is off on a pout fit, so . . . ^^ (places a small wooden doll on the computer desk) Meet lil White Magic User Bakura avatar!
Avatar: Ano . . . Konnichi wa?
Shinju: So kawaii!!!! ^^ And he even inspired a nice long chapter for me!
Avatar: (blushes)
Shinju: He's so nice to me ^^ And my only good friend in study hall
Avatar: -_- I sense your "my preciousssss" coming up. If you do, I'll whap you with my staff.
Shinju: ^^ Telepathic powers. Anyway . . . . Let's get back to this fic now, shall we?
Warnings: Uh . . . flying cherry blossoms!!! (ducks) And overuse of the word tact for lack of a synonym I liked. . . . And yesh, Honda's kinda strange. . .
Japanese:
Sakura- cherry blossom
Nani- what
Sayonara- bye
((+)~
For even well intentions may go awry and spring hidden traps.
~*~*~*~*~
Honda stuffed his hands in his pockets, paying no real attention to where he was going. The park was nice this time of year, definitely helping to clear his mind.
He'd been hanging around Jou too long, now he couldn't keep his temper in check. He snickered softly at that thought.
But, really, he should have snapped like that. Now he would wander about brooding for a few hours, then go back and apologize. Keeps life relatively simple. . . . .
The ends of his tan trench coat [mwahaha, the trench coats. . . . Yeah, I'm shutting up now] fluttered out slightly behind him as he turned sharply off the path, heading to a more secluded part of the park.
There was a pond down there someplace, Honda remembered. Nice places, ponds. . .
He let his mind continue to ramble on rather senselessly in that strain as he tilted his head back, staring at where the sky met the treetops.
Odd, he thought. That tree seems to have a lot of empty space in it, almost no branches on that part. He tilted his head slightly, to get a different angle of the patch of blue sky behind the blossoms and leaves.
'Hey, wait a second . . .' His suspicions grew as he got closer. Sure enough, there was someone sitting up there. Jeans and a sky blue jacket, combined with their pale hair and skin blending among the flowers, had camouflaged the figure from a distance.
The boy was sitting cross-legged in the tree, staring into nowhere through the screen of leaves and sakura blossoms.
Honda moved towards the base of the trunk, neck craned upwards to get a better look.
"Bakura?"
The boy started, his head jerking down.
"Oh, konnichi wa, Honda-kun." He gave a half-smile. "Were you standing there long?"
Honda laughed. "No, actually. Only long enough to debate whether or not I'd make you fall out of the tree."
"Planning to join me, or should I climb down from my perch?"
"No need." Honda pulled himself up into the tree, sitting on a branch on the opposite side.
You could tell a lot about a person from their eyes, he had realized. Usually, the purest expression of their emotions rested in them. And people, he had also learned, were always more than one thing, complex in personality and mind. And they were hard to describe or put into words.
But somehow, with Bakura he had come to a silent understanding.
The boy didn't mind, and was somewhat reassured, by Honda's "older brotherly" presence. But you just didn't bug the white-haired boy, didn't pry into his business despite your concern. He was a private person, and could be a rather stubborn and noble ass at times; he'd ask for your help when he wanted it.
So Honda stood back, watched over him, and would offer support until he was truly needed.
So Ryou, in turn, came to an understanding with Honda.
Relieved that the other boy wouldn't interfere if he let any of his problems slide, Ryou was more vocal around him, letting Honda read his emotions. Honda didn't like to be kept in the dark, and Ryou didn't mind allowing the brunette to read him.
Honda was loyal in this way, though he didn't show it off as much as Jou did, therefore not earning himself any dog comments. It was just the kind of quiet and background support Ryou was comfortable with.
Honda plucked one of the sakura blossoms off the tree, twirling it around between his fingers.
A sudden impish grin lit up his face, and he flicked the flower at Ryou, hitting him right between the eyes.
The boy ran a gentle hand through his bangs, the pale fingers removing the offending blossom from his silver tresses. Brown eyes locked into Honda's won, as he tried to keep up a reproachful glare.
"Mou, Honda-kun, you're so mean, throwing things at me." The grin broke through, illuminating his face, as he swiftly flicked the flower back at the taller boy.
Honda caught it in midair just before it hit his face, much to Ryou's chagrin.
"You've ruined it," he said, almost mournfully.
Honda winked and shook his head. He opened his hand, revealing the flower to be un-rumpled, looking even untouched.
Ryou's eyebrows rose slightly, and though his expression hadn't changed much, Honda could tell the boy was thoroughly pleased. It was beyond him why something so simple delighted the chocolate-eyed boy so much, but he was happy to do it.
He gently laid his hand on top of Honda's, slender fingers grasping almost reverently at the delicate pink petals. But the light in his eyes dimmed, fading slowly, and he knocked the blossom to the ground. He retreated back to his branch of the tree, drawing his knees to his chin and lapsing back into silence.
Honda blinked, but stayed quiet, curious. Bakura had obviously thought Honda had ceased to exist, just dropped out of reality for the moment. That, or more likely Ryou had dropped out of reality and neglected to take Honda with him.
She had been named Sakura. She was pretty and perfect, just like that flower. He had liked her. She had made him feel all funny, but he forgave her, because it was nice in a way. She was nice. It was a shame he'd gotten rid of her. It was a same he'd never saved her. It was a shame a single wooden tear forever marred her pretty little face. Perhaps he'd been afraid she'd reject him if he set her free. Now he had her forever. And she had never blamed him, she had only cried.
But really, it was a shame he'd worse than killed her.
"Bakura."
He turned around to face the boy, broken out of his musings, brown eyes wide and scared, pools of emotion.
Honda bit his lip; he hadn't been _trying_ to make the boy go all "deer in the headlights" and "I'm gonna die!" on him. He could tell the boy was, in the midst of his shock, seriously contemplating running as fast as he could, or getting mou hitori no Bakura to threaten Honda into silence, and then running away.
"Why don't we go someplace else to talk? I don't think the park is the best distraction to get away and think anymore," Honda said placidly, waving his arm out in a sweeping gesture. "Too many people."
Ryou nodded numbly, rapidly thanking kami-sama in his head repeatedly for Honda's mercy. When Ryou slipped up like that, people always got worried, and then they'd interfere with his problems, and it all ended in death and destruction on many levels.
"We can go to my house," Ryou spoke up after he finished his gratitude, and jumped out of the tree.
Honda complied, following Ryou's example. All he could do was hang along for the ride until Ryou got whatever it was out of his system.
'Bakura just gets weirder and weirder by the day. . . Ya know, I think strange things are just attracted to our little group. . . .'
Honda put his arms behind his head as he walked, trying to think of something to break the silence.
"People space out all the time, you know," he said, calm and offhand in manner.
Ryou turned his head partway around, a small smile playing around his lips. "Oh really?"
Honda nodded solemnly. "Oh yes, really. Why, I've seen Jou space out in class many a time."
"Are you sure he isn't just thinking about his schoolwork?"
Honda winked. "It's always the class before lunch. You decided."
The banters they had were strange. Often, the words were meaningless, full of lighthearted jokes that didn't mean a thing. It was Honda's way of reassuring Bakura, and his way of getting his mind off things. And anyone outside the conversation would just assume it was friends sharing a moment of fun.
They carried on in this strain the whole way to Ryou's apartment, both boys grinning as they reached his door.
"You know, they're right when they say that sometimes you have to take a break from your problems, get away for a while."
Ryou pushed the door lightly open as Honda finished speaking, then turned to face the other boy, the sparkle gone from his eyes, his voice suddenly solemn.
"Yes, but you can't run forever."
'Note to self: get more tact! Oh well, if I've gone this far, I might as well go the rest of the way . . . .'
He followed Ryou inside, the two of them sitting down in the living room. Honda gathered up his resolve, before starting in what he hoped was an offhand tone.
"You know, you worry Yugi and the others sometimes."
Ryou blinked, asking, "I do?"
"Now, would I lie to you?"
"Yes, but not about this," Ryou replied seriously.
"Errr. . . .anyway, Jou seemed to get the impression the other day that you'd been sad. Being the private person you are, they got all fired up and decided it was something horrible."
Ryou bit his lip, staring down at his hands resting in his lap.
"Don't worry, it's probably just because it was such a strange week. They were probably already suspicious because nothing concerning you happened for a while," Honda tried to pacify the distraught boy.
He blinked, a puzzled look coming over his face. "Nani?"
Honda laughed slightly. "You haven't noticed that every bad thing that doesn't involve attempts to steal your item, plus half of the power struggles, involve you? You're a magnet fated to attract misfortune, Bakura."
"That's not a very positive outlook on me. . . ." the silvery-haired boy murmured.
"Just don't stress yourself out. Things pass," Honda advised.
"Sometimes I get the feeling you can read minds."
"Does it scare you?"
"Very much so, Honda-kun." Ryou forced a smile upon his face.
The brunette gave a wry grin. "Well, I guess it's time for me to take my leave." He stood up.
Ryou also got up, following him to the doorway of the living room.
"Sayonara, then."
"Sayonara," Honda replied with a wave.
A soft whisper broke his stride for a moment, causing him to pause and smile to himself.
"Arigato. . ."
Maybe he wasn't so hopeless when it came to people skills after all.
He continued to the door, a moment before all hell broke loose.
((+)~
EVILE CLIFFY!!! MWAHAHA!!!
IMPORTANT!!! I NEED HELP!!! The sooner someone who knows about Duel Monsters cards and what people have in their decks helps me, the sooner the cliffhanger gets resolved ^^ Any takers?
This chapter was a bit longer, ne? -_- Say yesh, peoples . . . .
Avatar: If anyone mentions yaoi or shounen ai about the sakura scene, I _will_ kill you. . . violently. . . . .
Shinju: Awww, isn't he so sweet? ^^ Anyway, please review!
-Windswift Shinju ((+)~