Yami Yami Yugi: Yes, I'm back to pester you.

Yugi: But you haven't really pestered them much with this story yet, have you.

YYY: Oh, shut up Yugi.

Ryou: You know, he has a point. One skimpy chapter isn't considered pestering.

YYY: That's enough. You two are just out to get me.

Y&R: Yep ^__^

YYY: *sigh*

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Disclaimer: Look back one chapter to see it.

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Chapter 2: Bullies

Malik sat alone in the back of his Math class. He had it with Yugi and Joey and so far it was a nightmare. Every three seconds they would shoot dirty looks at him then whisper something to each other.

But he couldn't say he blamed them. No, they had every right to be angry with him, after everything he'd done.

But at the same time he felt they were being rather unfair. For the most part he had been under the influence of his insane yami. And even what he did do on his own will, he was different now. He had changed. He was no longer after their blood, taking control of their minds, or sending rare hunters after them. He was just a sixteen year old boy who wasn't bothering anybody.

The bell rang signaling the end of the period. He packed up his books and headed to his next period: Gym.

In the locker room everyone was really tense around him. There were a few whispers going around but that was it. Malik finished changing into his Gym clothes and exited the changing rooms. He waited in the gym as the rest of the class came in.

Inwardly, Malik groaned. Yugi, Joey, Tristan, Bakura, and Seto were all in this class. This was going to be a nightmare. The coach announced what they were going to be doing in the class today. They were playing soccer.

Class was worse than he thought. Nobody passed the ball to him, nobody cheered when he scored a goal, and his own teammates even took the ball from him. But that wasn't the worst. What he hated the most was after gym when he had to shower.

This was a problem because of his back. The hieroglyphics carved into it would definitely be seen by the rest of the boys. His other option was to leave his shirt on in the shower. He went with that one, but it was clear that everyone would be talking about it later.

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~ Yugi's POV ~

It's been about a week since Malik came to school. All of us involved in Battle City did our best to keep our distance. I had this feeling that Malik was going to do something sooner or later, so I kept my guard up. And so did Yami.

He's been ready to jump out of his soul room and switch with me the second Malik's name was heard. But so far He wasn't needed for it. Like I said, we were keeping our distance.

Now that I think of it, everyone in school was keeping away from Malik. Most people thought of him as a freak. As I walked down the halls between classes on day I heard part of a conversation between some of the boys in my class.

"Did you see all that gold the guy was wearing? He probably thinks he's better than the rest of us."

"Yeah," another said. "But he's just a pathetic little loner."

"You know, I heard that not even Yugi Motou will hang out with him. And Yugi gets along with almost anyone."

"That's about as lame as it gets!"

The group laughed and left the hallway to get to their next class. I frowned and kept on walking, passing several other students on the way. I had just turned the corner when I saw it happening…

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~ Normal POV ~

Malik walked down the hall to his next class his backpack over his shoulder and a few books in his arms. He was almost there when he was stopped in the middle of the hallway by a group of thugs. They each stood about five inches higher than him and had identical smirks on their faces. Malik tried walking around them but one of them pushed him back into a row of lockers.

"Hey Malik," one of them said. "What's up. Do you like it here at Domino?"

"Get away from me," he growled.

The boy growled and slammed him into the lockers, grabbing him by the collar. "Didn't you hear me? I said how's it going?"

Malik gave him a glare. "Get off of me," he said impatiently. He didn't have time for this.

"Hey, what is this thing?" one of the others held up a golden object. Malik gasped. They must have taken it from his backpack. The other boy started tossing it around in his hands.

Now he was mad. He kicked the guy who pinned him to the lockers hard in the gut. Then he rounded on the one that was holding his Rod. But before he had time to attack, one of the others caught him by surprise and gave him a swift kick in the shins.

Malik fell to his knees and the thugs picked him up and shoved him in one of the lockers and closed it. Malik banged on the door of the locker helplessly. The group laughed and left the hallway, dropping Malik's things on the floor.

"Let me out of here! Please, someone get me out!" he shouted from inside. A few tears ran down his face. He was terribly claustrophobic and being trapped in a locker was not helping! He continued banging in the door until he heard a voice.

"Malik, are you okay?"

"Get me out of here!" he cried, almost hysterically. This was not good. His claustrophobia was getting worse by the second.

"Just hang on! I'll go get help!"

Yugi was gone and Malik continued pounding on the door. He just wanted to get out, just get out. He didn't care that banging on the door was useless, that he was making a fool of himself, that everyone would be talking about this. He just wanted out of the locker and out of the school.

At that moment the door was swung open on he fell out. He looked around to see the janitor, Yugi, and a bunch of students crowded around him. He stood up and started running down the hallway, pushing through and knocking down several students. He just ran down the hall and out of the school. He didn't turn back or stop to pick up anything, not even him Millennium Rod. He just ran away.

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YYY: That's it for now. Review and I'll try to get the next chapter up soon. I want a whole bunch of reviews! Pweeeeeeese! *gives puppy dog look*