Author Note: I'm not really sure how old Ryou is, so I'm going to say he's 16, k? Sorry
this took awhile to put out. Umm… anyone know the name of Ryou's dad?
Otherwise, I'm calling him… Saionji.
/ … / Hikari to yami; // … // yami to hikari { …. } phone.
Choice
By: Crystalin Elf
Chapter 4: The Guest
How often had bullies beaten me up, before Bakura came to me? How often did I find
myself wishing for a companion who would always be with me, one who could teach
me how to be strong? Years, really… until I received the Millennium Ring, and I
stopped wishing. There was no need to keep wasting my hopes on a wish. At that
time, the very first time I saw him, I was certain that I had finally been granted my wish.
In a way, I had.
I was more perceptive than he gave me credit for, that first time he came out of the
Ring… after being picked on for so many years, seeing the self-doubt and pain in the
bullies eyes, and knowing my own fear, they were all so easy to see in Bakura's eyes.
And as I told him, I dream what he dreams, and he happens to dream about his past
a lot more often than he consciously recalls!
When I looked into his eyes that first time, despite the anger and fear I saw burning there,
I saw his soul… while darker than my own is, I knew he used to be like me, kinder
and gentler. He would dream about his past, and I would know what he'd been
through… subconsciously, the worse his dreams had been, the worse his 'lessons' to
me were the next day.
Through his torturous 'lessons', I learned more than he thinks I did; I became stronger
than he thought I was. Had I wanted to, I could have defended myself, I could have
hurt him back. But really, what good would have come of that? He might have been
proud that I was strong enough to fight back, he might have backed down… but I
doubt it.
To Bakura, I am a sweet and gentle aibou, one that would never hurt a fly. But I'm
human as well… I get angry sometimes too, and striking back at someone else would
be all too easy to do. I don't expect the bullies to learn anything from my pacifism,
but I realize how many of them are already hurting inside, more than they can
tolerate. I really couldn't stand causing any of them any more pain than they had
already experienced. I don't like hurting people, period.
I especially couldn't stand causing Bakura any more pain than I saw in his eyes, a pain
that was allowing the darkness of the Ring to eat away at his soul. While he might
have been proud of me for being able to fight back, I can't help but feel that he
would have been horrified with himself…In his mind, had I fought back, he would
have become as terrible as his father…
And I would have become him.
He's more relieved that I never fought back than he's willing to admit, even now. I
survived his lessons, and I remained myself while doing so. He's finding himself
now, learning to think before he acts, overcoming his automatic reactions. And for
that I am proud of him.
I've promised to help him, and I know that I can, if he continues to let me. And somehow,
I know he will.
=====================================================
"Yes… yes… yes…"
The white haired youth leaned with his back against the wall, one arm folded across his
chest. He could feel Bakura trying to repress his laughter at his aibou's frustration,
and a slight smile graced his lips at that. Last night had brought down some sort of
wall between him and his yami, and he was able to feel what Bakura was feeling
with greater ease than before.
Then again, Bakura wasn't shielding him out at the moment either.
{ Are you sure Ryou, you understand what I want you to get? } Saionji's voice was
worried, he wanted everything to be perfect…
"Yes father, I understand what you're asking, it's all very simple. Minako-san wants
bottled water and Belgian chocolates to be stocked. She's somewhat picky isn't
Father? No, no, I'm not criticizing her, I've never even met her… Yes Father, I
understand, first impressions and all…"
This is ridiculous. For a moment he was tempted to hang up on his father, who was
prattling on about the woman he had met while on his latest trip. Black hair, blue
eyes, white skin, and oh so sweet… he shook his head and lightly bit his tongue to
keep silent. His father was making her out to be a paragon of virtue, caring, kind,
gentle, patient, and wouldn't Ryou just love to have a mother again?
/ He's been gone six months, and he suddenly falls in love again? It's way to soon for
him to be talking about marrying her, and yet he is…of course, I want him to be
happy, demo…I don't want a woman I don't know to go around telling people she's
my mother, or mother to be or… whatever! /
// Calm down Ryou, he's just exited. Now, agree with him that you'll stay home from
school, and will have lunch ready when they arrive. After all, he isn't making you
stay for dinner… //
/ They just want 'private time' I'm sure. /
// Don't be so bitter Ryou, that's my job. //
"Hai, Father, I will be home when you and Minako-san arrive, and I will spend the early
afternoon with you. I know you're excited, but remember you promised I could
continue on with my normal life, and make time for getting to know her as I see fit.
Yes, I know you want us to like each other, but don't try and force us to like each
other, ok? We're people not pets."
He really was doing a marvelous job staying calm today, despite being asked to miss
school and having to meet Minako-san.
{Well, all right son, I'll try to keep my excitement at a manageable level. See you in a
few hours Ryou. You know, I'm amazed that the cell phone worked so high up…
anyway, I love you and miss you, and I think I'll be able to stay home for a while
now. See you soon Ryou.} Saionji's voice had regained its bouncy tone by the end
of his parting message, and Ryou kept his reply short.
"Yes, see you soon Father." He sighed as he hung the phone up, quite sure that his father,
an airhead most of the time, would forget to moderate his behavior with Ryou around.
// You're tensing up again aibou. //
/ I know… I can't help myself. Father is being very inconsiderate, bringing someone
home that he's never talked to me about, or written about, or… or anything! /
// I believe someone once said that it's easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for
permission. Perhaps he was afraid you'd object to his bringing Minako-san with him
if you'd known ahead of time. //
/ He still should have said something. /
// Yes, but that isn't the current situation. Deal with things as they are Ryou, instead of
dwelling on how you want them to be. //
/ ….. /
// Don't worry Ryou, I've already been to the store and back to obtain her water and
chocolate. And I brought you some back as well; it's stashed in your room. //
/ Huh? When did you do that? /
// …. You were on the phone for an hour Ryou, and he repeated what she wanted at least
ten times. I went after he told you the second time. //
/ Gomen, I didn't notice… thank you Yami. /
// You're welcome; just don't mention me being nice to the Pharaoh. //
/ All right Yami, I won't. /
He could see Bakura's answering smirk in his mind, his amusement flavored like crisp
apples sprinkled lightly with cinnamon, and Ryou felt himself relaxing again.
/ Now, what should we make for lunch? /
// Pizza. //
/ Why pizza? /
// Because I want pizza, and I refuse to let some idiotic woman dictate what I eat. Err…
what we eat. Besides, everyone loves pizza, and we can make more than one kind. //
/ You're right… so, two pepperoni with pineapple, one hot veggie, one fruit, one cold veggie. /
// Cold veggie? //
/ Yeah, the crust is kind of cookie like, somewhat sweet, with crisp fresh veggies. Similar
to the fruit one. /
// Oh, ok. //
/ Well, now that lunch is decided, lets go get the ingredients we're missing. /
The Ring glowed slightly as Bakura appeared beside Ryou, and quickly ushered him out
of the kitchen and out of the house before Ryou could change his mind.
// And by the way Aibou, I'll be introducing myself to them this afternoon as well, so lets
think of something to tell your dad beside the fact that I'm a three thousand year old
spirit, shall we? //
=====================================================
She wasn't very pleased as she smiled politely at not one, but the two boys who stood
before her, each one smiling pleasantly and looking altogether to similar for her
comfort. Saionji was keeping an arm around her waist, gently ushering her into the
room to introduce her to the two before her.
"Minako dear, this is Ryou and… " Saionji's voice trailed off as he regarded the taller of
the two boys in confusion, wondering why Ryou had brought a friend over for this
afternoon, and how he found a friend who looked so much like him.
"This is Bakura father, surely you remember? He moved in with us right before you left
for this trip…" Ryou supplied smoothly, despite how nervous he was at lying to his
father.
"An honor to make your acquaintance once more sir," added Bakura, extending his hand
as smiling as pleasantly as he could.
"Oh… yes… can't believe I forgot." Saionji laughed nervously and shook Bakura's hand,
"the boy who looks so like my Ryou and has our last name as his first… you were
very polite and kind to Ryou."
"In truth sir, he was kind to me. My very first true friend in fact." Bakura replied,
imitating Ryou's gentler voice near perfectly.
"And a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well Minako-san," he continued, letting go
of Saionji's hand and taking Minako's, maintaining that contact only as long as
Ryou's hastily taught manners demanded.
"Yes, a pleasure," added Ryou this time, taking his brief turn at shaking the woman's
hand, and smiling nicely.
Minako nodded, keeping her own smile firmly in place. "A pleasure indeed, I'm sure.
Well, lets have lunch now, shall we?"
Saionji led the way to the dining room, his arm still firmly around Minako's waist. Ryou
and Bakura trailed slowly after.
// I don't like her aibou. //
/ No… I don't either. But lets give her more of chance, ok? I'm sure she's very tired from
the plane ride, she may be better tomorrow after she's had some rest. /
// …If you say so Ryou. Good thing we don't have to stay after lunch is over. I don't
think I can stand being so… sickeningly nice, for much longer. //
/ Yeah… /
// What's that supposed to mean?! //
/ Nothing Bakura… I just like it better when you act naturally. //
// Oh. //
=====================================================
To Be Continued:
Crys: Nyaaa! Another chapter finished, I'm happy ^^ Thank you for reading. I hope you
enjoyed enough to review.
Rakka: hehe, should Bakura banish Minako to the shadow realm while Ryou isn't
looking?
Crys: umm… not sure yet whether or not this will be yaoi… I know it doesn't have to be,
but it could go either way really.
Rakka: Saionji is really an idiot isn't he?
Crys: Rakka…. behave…