RJ: Hey everybody! I'm back with another chapter.
Bakura: Oh joy.
RJ: Yeah, but first some of our reviewers wanted to give some of you guys stuff.
Everyone: Really?!
RJ: Yeah, first up on the list....Joey!
Joey: Me? Yahoo! What'd I get?
R.J: You get this nice big war hammer from Kikyo 101, now you can play whack a mole in real life! And you get a go cart from Adriana3!
Joey: Yeah, this is going to be fun! *Rides off whacking random people.*
R.J: Right, well anyway, Mokuba, you're up next.
Mokuba: Me? Okay.
R.J: You get a yo-yo and this book called *reads book* "Foolproof Ways to Get Your CEO Brother to Loosen Up". From Adriana 3 and you get this fish to keep Sammy Company! It's from, Magiciangirl2
Kaiba: O.o
Mokuba: Wow, thanks everybody! I'm going to read the book right now!
R.J: Aww don't worry Seto, I like you just the way you are. *Hugs him*
Kaiba: *Choke* Yeah, can you loosen it a bit?
R.J: Oops, right, anyway, Yugi?
Yugi: Someone wanted to give me something?
R.J: Here, it's a growth potion! *Hands him some liquid in a flask.* It's from Adriana3, oh but don't drink it now, I still need your shortness for the story. ^_^
Yugi: Ok.
R.J: Bakura, you're up.
Bakura: I wonder..
R.J: You get these! *gives packages of meat* from Magiciangirl2. And you get a hug from CherryRedHead!
Bakura: Thanks, I appreciate it. *grins at readers*
R.J: Yeah....Ryou!
Ryou: Yes?
R.J: You too get a hug from CherryRedHead! And you also get a go cart from Adriana3
Ryou: *blushes*
R.J: Okay, Tea?
Tea: Wow, someone wants to give me something!
R.J: Here's a $200 gift card to the mall from Adriana3!
Tea: Yay, thankyou thankyou thankyou!
R.J: Tristan!
Tristan: What?
R.J: You get a go cart too!
Tristan: Yay! *goes after Joey*
R.J: Let's see.....Seto you're turn.
Kaiba: Okay.....
R.J: Here's a box of Duel monster cards from Magiciangirl2, and a book called "The Ultimate Guide to Girls." From Adriana3, plus you get a kiss from the-kaiba-heir along with a little message.
Kaiba: I don't know what to say.
Bakura: Wow, trench coat boy there got more presents than anyone else!
R.J: Finally, Yami!
Yami: Yeah?
R.J: Here's a $200 gift card from Adriana3! Yami: I feel so loved!
R.J: Anyway, here's the story!
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The next morning was Friday. So quick isn't it? Today, the science reports were due and none of the UPL students looked like they had much sleep. Ryou himself looked like a few more hours of sleep wouldn't hurt.
(Ryou, I insist, go to sleep, I'll take over.)
(*yawns* No thanks Bakura)
(If I ever get my hands on your teacher.....)
(No talking about death Bakura please, it's early in the morning.)
(But, asking you to extend your report 20 or more pages 3 days before it's due?!)
(I know it's unfair but-)
(It's like asking some people to build a pyramid and have it done in one week!)
(Yeah....)
Ryou dropped onto the stairs and plunged into sleep. Bakura tried to wake him up but it was no use. The boy was too tired. Without thinking twice, he immediately switched with Ryou.
Now many people would consider this sight strange, a boy collapsing on the stairs and staying there for a while, then suddenly getting up and running up the stairs at full speed as if filled with energy.
"Hey Ryou!" Ayane greeted as she saw Bakura come up from the stairs.
Bakura headed toward her and gave her a grin. Might as well enjoy this while Ryou was sleeping.
"So, you got your science report done?" Ayane asked.
"Uhm..yes, but as soon as I hand it in I'm going to kill the teacher, the slave driving idiot!" Bakura said.
Ayane stared, then put her hand on Bakura's forehead.
"Ryou, are you alright? You're not coming down with something are you?" She asked.
"No, I'm fine." Bakura said, realizing Ryou would have never expressed thoughts about killing someone to a girl.
"Okay then." Ayane smiled. 'You do look a bit different though." She said.
"Yeah...lack of sleep." He said.
"Yeah, that report was murder, I wouldn't mind giving the teacher a little smack on the head." Ayane laughed while looking to the side.
"Really?" Bakura asked.
"Hmmm, I don't know, I guess that's my dark side coming out, I didn't get enough sleep." She gave a small laugh.
Bakura grinned at her. The thing she said about a dark side, he thought was a bit of a humorous coincidence. Just then he began to feel Ryou wake up in his soul room.
(B-Bakura?! What-what's happening?)
(Oh, you fell asleep on the stairs.)
(What? Right, so I'm awake now.)
There was a sensation and Ryou was back in his normal body. He began to rub his head and mumble when he realized that he was standing in front of Ayane.
"Ryou, are you sure you're okay?" Ayane asked.
"Me? Yeah, I'm fine." He said, giving a nervous laugh.
The bell rang and Ayane, Ryou and the rest of the students began to go inside their respective classrooms. Ayane sat beside Kaiba who was holding their report in his hands, going trough it one last time.
"Do you think it's enough Kaiba?" She asked.
"The number of pages was unreasonable in the first place, of course it's enough." He said in a cold tone.
"I guess you're right." She sighed.
The teacher arrived just as the second bell rang. He greeted the class and asked for their reports. Before anyone gave theirs, he asked if anyone would not be able to pass. The class was silent. The teacher smiled a strange satisfied smile and asked them to pass their reports.
The whole period, the teacher checked and went through their reports, frowning, smiling, nodding or shaking his head to himself. Students held their breath every so often when the teacher would pick up a certain report. Ayane sat down twiddling her finger and biting her lip in anxiousness. Kaiba noticed this, after a while he began to get annoyed.
"Don't do that, it's getting on my nerves." He said, putting his hand over hers to stop the movement.
Ayane looked at him, then to his hand which he slowly removed when he noticed she had stopped trying to move them.
"Sorry, I'm just nervous." She said giving him a weird smile.
"Well don't be." He simply stated and turned his attention back to the front.
After a while the teacher cleared his throat to signal that he was finished going through the reports.
"Though I haven't read them thoroughly yet, I have already made a preliminary evaluation on you reports." He said. "I must say all of you did above average works and I'm impressed, though some parts seemed to have been rushed," He said, eyeing a few students. "I assure all of you will receive a passing grade." He ended.
The whole class let out relieved sighs. The teacher then began to discuss the topics in their report until the bell signaling the end of first period rang. Everyone emptied the classroom, wanting to get to any other subject as soon as possible. Before Ayane could though, the teacher called her attention, as well as her partners.
"Ms. Kinoshi, Mr. Kaiba, could I speak to you for a moment?"
Ayane turned around and walked to her teacher. Kaiba hadn't left his seat yet so he didn't need to move.
"I usually don't do this but I have to congratulate you two. You report is by far the best I've seen in this class." He said.
"Thank you sir." Ayane beamed. Kaiba just looked bored.
"Well, off to class you go then." He said, straightening out some papers.
The two walked out of the classroom. Ayane's face was glowing. Kaiba looked like he had better things to do.
"Oh come on Kaiba, the least you could've done was showing a little gratitude." She said.
"Why? I don't have any good reason to." He said.
"But...fine, I guess you don't." She sighed.
The two got back to class and took their respective seats. As the class went on, each would sneak glances at each other ever so often, but neither noticed. When the bell rang, the teacher announced something.
"Class, there will be no lunch today, so recess will be extended from a 20 minute break to a 50 minute one." The class groaned. No lunch.....that was never good. While students were walking out of the classroom, Ayane ran to Ryou.
"Are you feeling better?"
"What?"
"You were acting all weird this morning. Are you feeling better?" Ayane repeated.
"Oh, that! Uhm, well, yeah, I'm fine." Ryou said.
"That's good." Ayane smiled.
"Yeah..let's go to the cafeteria. I'm hungry." Ryou said.
"Oh, you go ahead, I'll have to catch up with you. I need to return this book to the library." She said, raising a red science book.
"Yeah. Okay, do you want me to come with you?" He asked.
"That's okay, I know the way, you just go ahead Ryou." She smiled.
"Alright." Ryou replied as he went down the stairs.
Ayane wondered into the building the Library was supposed to be in. She didn't get lost once. Yay, go her! Anyway, as she made her way through a corridor, she felt footsteps coming closer to her. She turned around to see Andrea with some other girls, heading towards her.
"Uh oh." She whispered to herself.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Ms. Looser. Where's your freakish little British friend?" Andrea asked in a snobby tone.
"If you mean Ryou, he's in the cafeteria, and don't call him that again." Ayane snapped. No way was this prick going to make fun of her best friend.
"Whatever dork. We're not here to talk about him anyway."
"Let me guess, this is about Kaiba?" She asked with a raised eye brow.
"Wow, you actually figured that out all by yourself." Andrea mocked.
"Okay, listen here you little rat, we want you to stay away from Kaiba because he is ours!" Another girl stepped out.
Ayane took all the little "warnings" and insults one by one from girl to girl. She just stood there unfazed, sometimes looking bored. This made Andrea even more agitated.
(A/N: These aren't all Kaiba's ermm....fangirls, just the really nasty ones.)
"Look, I'm sure all of you have your own good reasons, but I have to return something to the library." Ayane said and turned on her heel but someone grabbed her and turned her around.
"Ack! What do you want from me?!" Ayane said, exasperated as she slapped Andrea's hands away from her own shoulder.
"I don't think you got my message." Andrea hissed. Most of the girls were gone already, probably thinking of ways to stalk Kaiba again.
"Look, there's nothing I can-" Ayane was cut off as a hand was put over her mouth and she was lifted from the ground.
Some tall guy was holding her back like a kidnapper would. Another guy appeared from somewhere and grinned. They looked like seniors. Andrea had an evil grin on her face.
"Hmm, this girl looks good." The guy beside Andrea said.
"I warned you, hopefully this will teach you a lesson, I wanted to do this outside of school, but you were really asking for it." Andrea grinned.
The guy was looking at Ayane in a not so friendly way. His gaze felt so dirty. He reached for Ayane. But before he could, Ayane did a back kick to the guy holding her, kicking him in the stomach and letting her go. The other guy lunged at her but she was fast and dodged it. The guy landed on his face and Ayane stepped on his back and pulled his arms.
"What the heck are you trying to do Andrea?!" Ayane asked.
"Teaching you a lesson you snake." She hissed.
"I'm not a defenseless little girl you know, I'll fight these guys off." She told Andrea though inside she wasn't so sure. She was about to try and get away.
The guy who had grabbed her previously however, got up and grabbed her again. The guy on the floor got back up and started to touch Ayane's face. Before anything else could happen, a punch flew out to the guy's cheek.
"Get your hands off of her." Kaiba said, angry.
"Kaiba-kun!" Andrea exclaimed and ran to him and hugged him.
"Get away from me." Kaiba said, his tone colder and angrier than ever. Andrea backed away.
"Aww, look who's come to save you." The boy said as he stroked Ayane's cheek roughly with his hand. Ayane had a look of worried-ness in her eyes, along with a few tears.
Ayane kicked the guy again, this time where it really hurt. She pinned him to the wall by pushing him when he was vulnerable and made an upper block (if you took Karate, you'd know what this was, if not, it's something where you use the part of your arm from wrist to elbow to block above your head.) to choke the guy. Kaiba, looked at her for a moment, grinned and then fought off the guy who had lunged at him. When the two had had enough, they ran off, one with a bloody nose and the other limping. Kaiba turned to Andrea.
"You, just stay away from her!" He pointed.
"I-I...." Andrea stuttered.
"It's one thing to obsess over something, it's another thing to try and hurt someone." He growled. Andrea just ran.
Kaiba turned to Ayane who was buttoning her uniform back up because the guy she was fighting had managed to grab her but she pulled away and the buttons on her top came undone. He walked over to her.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"Yeah, thank you Kaiba." She said as she turned to him and hugged him real tight, trying to hold back a few tears.
Kaiba held her for a while, knowing what she was feeling now. "Hey, its okay, they're gone now."
"Yeah, thank you, I owe you my life." She said, pulling away.
"I don't think you should go that far." He smiled. "I have to admit you know how to fight."
"Yeah, well, you did too." She smiled.
"Do you want to go to the classroom?" He asked, not knowing what else to say.
"I don't feel like eating now. Maybe, I should just go outside, get some fresh air, or, or something." She said, her tone far away.
Kaiba looked at her. "I'll come." He stated.
Ayane didn't contest this. Right now she just wanted to rest, maybe just go outside. They walked to the tree they had been under just one week ago. Ayane sat, pulled her knees close and rested her head on her knees facing away. Kaiba sat down beside and looked at her.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
"Yes."
"Ayane, you shouldn't have to take any crap from Andrea. She's the worst of her kind." He said.
"I figured." She said, turning her head so that it was facing Kaiba.
Kaiba grinned at her, Ayane replied with a smile. "I don't think I'll be able to make her stop hating me though." She said, an amused look in her eyes.
Kaiba reached out to her and tucked some of her hair behind her ear. "Why am I so nice to you?" He asked, more to himself but Ayane had heard it.
"Are you coming down with something?" She asked with a smile.
"No." He said. "Maybe because right now you're a weak little girl." He grinned.
"Yeah, I'm a weak little girl right now." She laughed
Kaiba continued to stroke her hair. Ayane closed her eyes, enjoying it. His touch was so different from anybody else's. After some time, she opened her eyes and straightened her head and legs.
"What a beautiful day." She said.
"Where did that come from?" Kaiba asked, looking at her strangely.
"Hm, nowhere." Ayane laughed.
Kaiba shook his head. "Don't get used to me being this nice; it only comes out once every five years." He said, a little amused.
"I'll wait five years then." Ayane said, staring off into space with a smile.
**************************************************************************** *********************
Ryou was worried. Ayane hadn't come back and recess was half over. He had gone to the library but the librarian had said that no one had come in the whole day. Ryou looked by the UPL rooms, but they were deserted.
(Ryou, ryou!)
(What is it Bakura?!)
(I found out what happened to your friend!)
(Huh? How?)
(Heard that conceited girl talking with some people.)
(Andrea?)
(Yes, she was talking to two guys who looked like they had been in a fight.)
(What did you hear?)
(That she was mad her plan didn't work out.)
(What plan?)
(She was planning on teaching Ayane a lesson to stay away from Kaiba, the two guys, apparently were supposed to do things to her so she would learn her lesson.)
(What?!)
(Yeah, dirty, I know.)
(W-what happened.)
(Kaiba showed up.)
(Okay.....)
(And he saved her, and told Andrea off.)
(Where are they now?)
(Ayane and Kaiba? I don't know, but I'm sure she's alright Ryou.)
(Okay..)
(Yeah. Now don't be a blabber mouth Abiou, the conceited one didn't want her defeat to get out.)
(What? Oh, yeah, sure Bakura.)
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Kaiba stared at Ayane for a moment. Ayane didn't mind though. After a while, she looked at him and gave him a laugh.
"Okay, what is it this time?" She smiled. "Did I suddenly grow another head?"
"What?"
"You keep staring at me."
"Oh." Kaiba said. He didn't have any excuse for that one.
"Well, it's okay." She laughed. "So, do you wanna go to the classrooms now?"
"There's still 15 minutes to recess." Kaiba said.
"Oh, okay, so you want to stay here?" She asked.
"Yeah, you can go if you want to." He said. "Please don't." He silently added.
"No, I want to stay here.....with you." Kaiba gave her a funny look. "It's the least that I could do, after you helped me get away from the serpent queen and her two goons." She smiled.
Kaiba just nodded. After a while both joined the students in the regular flow in the corridors, trying to get to their classrooms. When they got to their classrooms, Ayane immediately ran to Ryou, who looked relieved at seeing her.
"Ayane are you okay?" He asked after Ayane had run to him.
"Yeah, I'm really really sorry Ryou! Please forgive me." She said with a puppy dog face.
"Hey, calm down, it's okay, I'm just glad you're alright." He smiled.
"Yeah, well, I had a little run in with trouble." She shrugged.
"I knew I should've gone with you." Ryou said.
"Oh Ryou." She said slowly. "I don't want to be like a little kid who always needs an eye on her, I don't want to be trouble."
"No, no, you're not trouble." He said with a little smile.
"Okay, I'll buy that." She winked.
The bell rang and everyone went inside. When Ayane sat down next to Kaiba, se could feel his "cold" demeanor coming back. She could sense it, or maybe the air conditioner was just blowing harder than normal. She just shrugged off the feeling. Good things don't last forever.
*************************************************************************** **************************
"Hmm, so guys, do you plan on joining any clubs this year?" Tea asked as she sipped some soda out of a straw.
"Clubs? I'm not joining any; they're just a waist of time." Joey said.
"Oh come on Joey, wouldn't it be fun to join the math club?" Tristan joked.
"What club are you going to join Tea?" Ayane asked.
"The ballet club, assuming I can pass the auditions of course." Tea said.
"Of course you're going to pass Tea! You're the best ballet dancer I know." Yugi assured her with a smile.
Tea blushed. She and Yugi, hadn't actually talked about the whole date incident and she wasn't planning to do so anytime soon. Tristan and Joey continued to hurl insults at each other.
"Well, I bet it would be fun to see you in band!" Joey said.
"I can just imagine you in the chess team!" Tristan said back.
"What club are you going to join Yugi?" Ryou asked.
"Me? I don't know if I will, I mean, if my grandpa will allow me to." Yugi said, scratching his head.
"How about you Ryou?" Ayane asked.
"I don't know, maybe I'll just settle for the Science club again this year." Ryou said.
"Yeah, Tristan here will keep you company Bakura." Joey said, motioning to Tristan.
"I wouldn't get in anyway." Tristan said, giving Joey a look.
"You mean there's an audition for every club?" Ayane asked.
"Try outs, auditions. Interviews, screenings, or you have to pass some requirements, yeah pretty much." Tristan replied.
"Oh, but UPL students are automatically accepted into academic clubs." Ryou informed.
"That's nice to hear, but I don't want to go to the Math club, or the science club, no offense Ryou." She said with a smile.
"None taken."
"What if you don't get accepted into any club?" Ayane asked.
"Then you get into the peer tutoring club, you get to tutor little first- sixth grade kids from Domino elementary." Joey said. "Of course, you can go there by choice, if you wanted too."
"You're allowed to join two clubs, three if you can get a teacher's recommendation." Tea said.
"I'm sure we'll here about it later, teachers can never keep their mouths' shut." Joey joked.
Eventually the bell rang and everyone hurried off to their classrooms. The gang went off to their own classrooms. Yugi went off to the science lab, Tristan and Joey to room 203, Tea to room 207 and Ryou and Ayane to the UPL. (As you might have noticed already, Joey and Tristan are lab partners.)
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"Class, before I begin the lesson for today, the office has asked that this reply slip be passed to you." The teacher cleared his throat as he began to give out papers.
"This paper is in regards to your clubs." He said. "Please go through it, I'm sure all of you will find some club that stirs your interest, assuming you will receive your parent's permission of course, a maximum of two clubs is allowed per student. If you want to join a third club, a letter of recommendation is needed from your teacher." He continued.
All the UPL students eagerly went through their papers. Around the room you could hear different sounds of voices excited ones, bored ones and even worried ones. Ayane looked through hers, wondering what club she would like the best.
"Hey Kaiba, which club are you taking?" She asked curiously.
"None." He stated curtly.
"Huh? Why?" Ayane asked, confused.
"I don't have time. Plus they're just a waste of time." He said, without emotion.
"Oh, I don't think so." Ayane said with a thoughtful look in her eyes.
Kaiba looked at her face. "I'm lucky I don't have your sanguinity," He sneered.
"I'm lucky I don't have your pessimism." She said. "I've got my own, but I don't show it as much." She smiled.
Kaiba smirked.
"Maybe I should join the debate team; you think I'll get in?" She asked, looking at the paper.
"You have an attitude....and a mouth." He smirked at her, tone going from cold to colder.
"Yeah...I'm sure. The chess team looks interesting." She said.
Kaiba looked at Ayane. Somehow he couldn't imagine her, hunched over a chessboard, furrowing her eyebrows and frowning. Ayane saw the look he was giving her.
"What? Hey, I know how to play chess." She shrugged.
"Class, I would also like you to be reminded that if you are not part of a club, you will not be eligible for an honor. I know this may sound a bit harsh on you kids, but it's a new rule." The teacher said.
The class each gave different reactions. Ayane herself thought that this was a bit harsh. She looked over to Kaiba, who had a look of pure disbelief in his face for one fourths of a nanosecond but then quickly replaced it with a look of cold annoyance.
"Hmm, yeah well, I'll try out for the chess team, and the debate club." Ayane continued as if the teacher had said nothing, "I assume you'll be needing to join a club now, which one?" She asked with a hint of mischief.
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Joey looked at his list of clubs. Which one to choose? It's not like he could get into any club he wanted though. Tristan, beside him was eyeing the choices with a bored look in his eye. Joey wearily put his gaze back on the list of clubs.
Dance Club
Ballet Club
Cheering Squad
Glee club
Band
Music ensemble
Drama Club
Writer's League
The Back issue (School newspaper, interesting title, aint it?)
Art Club
Math Club
Science Club
Historians Club
Debate Club
Culinary Arts Club
Sports Club
-Swimming
-Basketball
-Volleyball
-Soccer
-Baseball
-Chess
-Badminton
-Tennis
Video and Photography club
Home Maker's Club
Peer Tutoring
Reader's club
Joey grimaced. Why wasn't there ever any club he could fit into? Like a duelist club, or a video game club. He turned his head to Tristan who had the same blank expression on his face. Joey just started crossing out those clubs that didn't look even remotely interesting.
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When the bell rang, everyone slowly spilled out of the classrooms. Pretty soon the whole campus was littered with students, all making plans for the weekend. Yugi, Tea and Tristan were already sitting down on a bench, waiting for the others. Joey was by the school doors, fighting with Kaiba because he had stepped on his Red eyes and had called it a second rate card.
Ayane and Ryou were coming down from the stairs. They reached the first floor and rounded a corner, walking towards the schools main door. Ayane averted her eyes from Ryou to the door, surprised to see Joey and Kaiba going at it with each other. Joey looked like he was ready to lunge at Kaiba and tear that smirk of his face, along with his hair and his eyes. Kaiba just stood there, satisfied that he had made Joey act like the dog he was. (sorry to all Joey fans out there!)
"Oh no, not again." Ryou mumbled.
"This happens all the time?" Ayane asked.
"You'll get used to it." Ryou smiled.
Joey was about to grab Kaiba by the collar of his uniform when he felt two pairs of hands hold him back. He saw his two UPL friends, struggling to pull him back.
"Don't Joey!" Ryou said.
"This jerk was asking for it." Joey said, still trying to grab Kaiba.
"Honestly, I wouldn't be mad if someone stepped on one of my useless cards, though, I admit, I don't have any useless cards." Kaiba smirked.
"See, he's doing it again!" Joey said, now trying harder than ever to shake his two friends off.
"Joey...." Ayane trailed off as she tried to keep a hold on him.
Joey finally stopped struggling, having mercy on his two friends. He mumbled something to Kaiba along the lines of, "ya, jerk, you're lucky these two were here to stop me." And followed Ryou to where the gang usually sat. Ayane however stayed behind.
"Don't you want to follow your friends?" He smirked, dusting off his coat.
"Yeah....are you alright?" She asked quietly, looking at him.
Kaiba was a bit surprised at her question.
"I'm fine, that mutt could never win a fight against me." He sneered.
"Okay, well, bye, I'll see you on Monday, I guess." She said and smiled up at him, before running off.
**************************************************************************** ********************* R.J: I hate my life.
Bakura: How many times have I heard you say that already?
Ryou: Why do you hate it so much?
R.J: Because my slave driving teachers gave us homework for Christmas break, 50 tons of it!
Ryou: Hey R.J, take it easy.
Bakura: Yeah, take it easy kid, we don't want to grow old to quickly now do we.
R.J: How many times do I have to tell you, I have a name?
Bakura: A guy's name. What does R.J stand for anyway? Romeo and Juliet?
R.J: No, it's my pen name, if you had bothered to look at my profile you'd know that.
Ryou: Okay, I think we better go back to the story.
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The gang was sitting on a stone bench. They had successfully calmed Joey down after ten minutes of smoke coming out from his ears. Now, they were planning on what clubs to join.
"Well, I think you guys could try out for the basketball team, you have the right height." Ayane told Tristan and Joey, who were looking through their papers again.
"Maybe I'll just stay in the science club." Ryou told himself.
"Why don't you try the Drama club?" Yugi suggested.
"Yeah! I think you'd be great in it." Ayane said.
"The Drama club? I don't know, I sort of have a bad case of stage fright." He said.
"Oh come on Bakura, I think you should try it." Tea said.
After some time, the gang separated, each having his or her own plans for the weekend. Ayane and Ryou were the last ones to leave.
"Hey Ryou." Ayane said, just as he was standing up.
"Yeah?"
"Do you know if there are any bookstores near here, I want to see if some books are already out."
"Yeah, I could take you there if you want." He said.
"Thanks." She smiled. "Maybe we could go to my house after, play cards or something."
"Yeah, that'd be great. Come on." He said, offering his hand.
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Kaiba was just getting into his limo when his cellphone rang. He recognized the number as the number of his house. He picked it up.
"Big Brother?"
"Yes Mokuba? Are you alright?"
"Yeah, it's just that I need a book for English class tomorrow but I don't have it."
"Which book is it?"
"Some book called Twice the Fool; I don't remember who wrote it."
"I'll see if there's one in the bookstore near here."
"Thank you big brother!"
"No problem Mokuba."
Kaiba put his cellphone down and gave the driver instructions to head for the bookstore.
**************************************************************************** ********************
Ryou and Ayane walked into the bookstore. It was a large place which looked like it had been pulled straight out of old England. It was mainly lit by a huge window in the ceiling and there were wooden tables in the very center. It actually looked more like a medieval library.
"Wow, this place is amazing." Ayane said under her breath.
"Yeah, I like to come here whenever I think everywhere else is just too noisy. It's usually very quiet here."
Ayane nodded and she and Ryou began to look through the books on the shelves. They spent quite some time there. Ryou was glad it was just her and him again. After some time, Ryou looked over the other side of the store and saw Kaiba.
"Hey look, it's Kaiba." He told Ayane.
Ayane poked her head out from the other side of a book shelf.
"Want to go and say hi?" She grinned.
"Uhm, no, I don't think I'd want to." He said.
Ayane laughed a little then disappeared back behind the bookshelf. Ryou smiled and then wondered off to the second floor of the two story bookstore.
Kaiba looked but he couldn't find the book anywhere. He decided to look over to the other side. He walked there and was surprised to find his Lab partner, looking through a bookshelf. He walked over to her, without really meaning to.
"Oh, hi Kaiba." She greeted with a smile.
"Seto." He said, reminding her about what Mokuba had told her.
"Oh right." Ayane said, looking down and blushing.
"Have you seen a book entitled, Twice the Fool?" He asked her.
"Oh, yeah, I've seen it." She said.
"Well.....where is it?" He asked impatiently.
"Jeez Seto calm down." She smiled.
She led him over to a few bookshelves near where they were standing. She looked around and finally stopped and pointed to a bunch of red books on the top shelf.
"There they are, hang on I'll get one for you." She said.
There was a step ladder by the shelf and she placed it where she had been standing and stepped up to reach for the book. It was still a bit out of her reach so she had to step on tiptoes. Kaiba just stood there, crossed armed, smiling inwardly. He didn't notice a pair of little kids running at full speed across the place. The two hyperventilating kids ran past them and knocked over the little step ladder, causing Ayane to loose her balance and fall. Kaiba's eyes grew wide and he immediately reached out and caught her before she could get hurt. (Wedding style. ^_^) He held Ayane for a while staring into her eyes. She blushed when she realized what happened. For some time, they just stared at each other.
"Seto, um, are you going to put me down anytime soon?" She asked in a sweet tone.
Kaiba shook his head and put Ayane down. He quickly gave her a cold smirk.
"I don't believe how clumsy you are." He told her.
"Yeah, I guess." She said, giving a little laugh. "Here's the book." She handed the book to him.
"Thanks." He said blankly, taking the book.
"I'm sure Mokuba will like the book." She smiled.
"How'd you know it was for him?" Kaiba asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh come on Set-o." She said in a false exasperated tone, she then smiled. "Twice the fool is a book about a guy who looses his girl twice in his life then dies and comes back as an angel, it's something they usually prescribe to elementary kids because of the plot and the characters, and I really can't imagine you reading a romance novel." She laughed.
"Well, think what you will." He said coldly before turning away. He looked at the book in his hands.
"See you in school." He heard her call. He just turned his head and smirked at her.
**************************************************************************** ******************************
Later, Ayane and Ryou were heading over to her house from the bookstore. They passed a desolate street where Ryou could sense that someone was following them.
"Uhm, are you sure?" Ayane asked, looking around for the fifth time.
"It's probably just my imagination." Ryou said, shrugging the feeling off.
They continued walking. For a while nothing happened, then they heard movements from somewhere behind them. Both turned around swiftly but nothing was there.
(Watch out Ryou!)
Ryou turned around and ducked just in time as something metal almost collided with his head. He and Ayane looked in front of them to see two guys with menacing looks on their faces.
"It's those guys from this morning." Ayane said to herself.
"Who are you?!" Ryou yelled.
"No time for introductions, but I believe your friend over there knows who we are." One of the guys said.
Ryou looked over to Ayane who gave him a look he couldn't quite read. He gave her a confused look but then realized what this was all about when he remembered what Bakura had told him earlier.
"We'll make you pay for what you did." The other guy said.
(Ryou watch out!)
The warning came too late. Ryou dropped down onto the ground.
**************************************************************************** ****************
R.J: I wonder what happened.
Yugi: You're not going to leave the readers there are you?
Yami: That would be plane cruel.
Bakura: I know, isn't it great?
Kaiba: So you're ending it here?
R.J: Let me think.......no, I want to write more! ^_^
Bakura: Dang!
**************************************************************************** **********************
The warning came too late. Ryou dropped onto the ground, just as something hit his head. Ayane came up to where the unconscious boy was lying. (A/N: I wasn't going to kill Ryou, he's one of my fav characters!) It was a crowbar that had hit him on the head. (I don't know why, the guys were stupid and couldn't think of anything else, I guess.)
"Now it's your turn girly." One of the guys said with a dirty look on his face.
Ayane stood up, her face showed anger. She stood up and just when the guy was about to grab her, ducked down and gave him a sweep, knocking him down. She then got ready for the other guy who was getting ready to pounce on her.
(Ryou, wake up!)
(.............)
(Ryou, in the name of Ra, please wake up!)
(...............)
(What do I do, what do I do?!)
(...............)
(I'll show these guys my wrath *laughs like a maniac*)
From where Ayane was struggling with the two guys had grabbed her, there was a quick glow behind them. The guys let go of her to look. There, standing like nothing had happened was the boy they had knocked out. Something in the way he looked was different though.
"I'll take care of this one." The guy to Ayane's right said as he stomped off to where Bakura was standing.
The other guy grabbed Ayane by the shoulders, but she kicked him by the back of the knee making him kneel and he let go. She then knocked him down with her full body weight by jumping on him.
Bakura was grinning as the other guy who was at least one and a half heads taller than he was headed to him. The two boys fought and from the looks of it Bakura was winning. (Of course, he's a thousand year old tomb robber.) The guy, who looked agitated because a freshman could beat him up, decided to end it all.
"Time to get serious." He said as he pulled out a knife from his pocket.
There was a gasp from behind where they stood. Ayane was staring wide eyed at the knife. She had successfully knocked out the guy she was fighting by dumping a trashcan on his head and banging it repeatedly until the guy was knocked out. (What?! I ran out of ideas, and besides, someone wouldn't be knocked out if you knocked them down with your whole body and you were smaller than them ^_^) She ran to help but Bakura gave her a look that said to stay back.
After a while of fighting Bakura managed to render the guy unconscious and the knife a safe distance away from anyone. Ayane walked over and stared at the unconscious guy then at Bakura (whom she still thinks is Ryou) who gave her a grin. She smiled back.
"Are you alright?" She asked in a quiet tone.
"Yeah, just a few cuts, nothing serious." He said.
"Come on, we better get to my house." Ayane smiled.
When they got to her house, no one appeared to be home. Ayane told Bakura to sit down on one of the couches in the living room as she ran off to somewhere. Bakura sat down, he had long given up on waking up Ryou. He looked at the different cuts and bruises on his arms and the rips on his shirt. He was actually amazed that Ayane could fight the way she did. Ayane came back with what looked like a medical kit.
"I can't believe those guys, I'm sorry you had to get involved." She looked at him with an apologetic look.
"It's okay, I needed a little exercise anyway, that guy was just chicken feed." Bakura laughed.
Ayane raised an eyebrow. She then shook her head, laughed and began to treat the injuries on his arms. Bakura watched closely as the girl bandaged his wounds, being careful not to inflict any extra pain. He didn't wince once. His eyes followed her closely as she moved to the other arm. Back in Egypt, it was always he who would bandage himself if he got cut, he didn't do a very good job either. He smirked as the girl finished.
"Thanks." He said.
"Yeah, oh, there's blood coming from your shirt too." She pointed.
"Don't worry about it." Bakura said.
"Well, if you're sure." She said, smiling at him uncertainly.
Silence.
Silence.
Silence.
*a quiet laugh.*
"You know, I've never seen someone as brave as you are Ryou."
"What?"
"I don't know, like remember that time you told Andrea off, well it seemed to come out of nowhere." She said after giving a quick laugh.
"Yeah, I'm a spontaneous person." Bakura grinned.
"Yeah, well, I guess I'm lucky you're my friend." She smiled.
(B-Bakura? What happened?)
(Oh good Ryou you're finally awake.)
(What happened?)
(I'll explain later, right now though....)
Ryou felt a familiar sensation. After a flash of a second, he was back in his own body, he was surprised to see bandages on his arms and blood on his shirt.
"What?" Ryou said to himself.
"What is it Ryou?" Ayane asked.
Ryou looked from her to his arms. He did so about two times before he decided to interrogate Bakura later. He smiled at Ayane.
"Nothing, I think I better get home now." He smiled, sighing inwardly because he didn't really want to go.
"I guess so; well I'll see you in school then, take care of yourself." She smiled, winking as she did.
"Yeah," Ryou trailed off.
After convincing Ayane he could go home alone, Ryou walked off to the direction of his house. When he got there, he changed into his night clothes, hoping his father wouldn't notice the blood stains on his shirt. When he was in his bedroom, Bakura materialized.
"Okay, what happened?" Ryou asked worriedly.
"Nothing I couldn't handle." Bakura said, then proceeded to tell Ryou the whole story while including some of his own inserts about how heroic he was.
After the story, Ryou had a look of mild shock and amusement on his face. He then thought for a while, then faced his Yami.
"But you didn't kill anyone right? Or send anyone to the shadow realm?"
"What kind of spirit do you take me for?" Bakura asked mockingly.
Ryou ignored the question.
"Oh, as long as everyone's still alive."
"Ryou you have got to learn the meaning of fun."
"Tell me tomorrow." Ryou said sleepily.
"Goodnight Bakura."
"Goodnight Hikari." And with that, Bakura dissolved back to the ring.
**************************************************************************** *********************** R.J: Alright people, that's all for now!
Bakura: Great! *Sends the two guys from before to the shadow realm*
Ryou: I knew you'd do it sooner or later.
Kaiba: I don't understand why you're Yami is still loose in public.
Joey: Yeah, isn't he supposed to be in the mental ward?
Ryou: He sends anyone who tries to get him in there in the shadow realm.
R.J: Right well....leave a review, you can tell me which clubs you think the guys fit into. I already have plans, but I'm always eager to hear what you guys think.
Tristan: Joey for the Reader's club!
R.J: Uh huh, or if you think I missed any clubs that are usually there, you can tell me too! So anyway, review!
Bakura: Yeah, see that little purple button there? Press it!
Bakura: Oh joy.
RJ: Yeah, but first some of our reviewers wanted to give some of you guys stuff.
Everyone: Really?!
RJ: Yeah, first up on the list....Joey!
Joey: Me? Yahoo! What'd I get?
R.J: You get this nice big war hammer from Kikyo 101, now you can play whack a mole in real life! And you get a go cart from Adriana3!
Joey: Yeah, this is going to be fun! *Rides off whacking random people.*
R.J: Right, well anyway, Mokuba, you're up next.
Mokuba: Me? Okay.
R.J: You get a yo-yo and this book called *reads book* "Foolproof Ways to Get Your CEO Brother to Loosen Up". From Adriana 3 and you get this fish to keep Sammy Company! It's from, Magiciangirl2
Kaiba: O.o
Mokuba: Wow, thanks everybody! I'm going to read the book right now!
R.J: Aww don't worry Seto, I like you just the way you are. *Hugs him*
Kaiba: *Choke* Yeah, can you loosen it a bit?
R.J: Oops, right, anyway, Yugi?
Yugi: Someone wanted to give me something?
R.J: Here, it's a growth potion! *Hands him some liquid in a flask.* It's from Adriana3, oh but don't drink it now, I still need your shortness for the story. ^_^
Yugi: Ok.
R.J: Bakura, you're up.
Bakura: I wonder..
R.J: You get these! *gives packages of meat* from Magiciangirl2. And you get a hug from CherryRedHead!
Bakura: Thanks, I appreciate it. *grins at readers*
R.J: Yeah....Ryou!
Ryou: Yes?
R.J: You too get a hug from CherryRedHead! And you also get a go cart from Adriana3
Ryou: *blushes*
R.J: Okay, Tea?
Tea: Wow, someone wants to give me something!
R.J: Here's a $200 gift card to the mall from Adriana3!
Tea: Yay, thankyou thankyou thankyou!
R.J: Tristan!
Tristan: What?
R.J: You get a go cart too!
Tristan: Yay! *goes after Joey*
R.J: Let's see.....Seto you're turn.
Kaiba: Okay.....
R.J: Here's a box of Duel monster cards from Magiciangirl2, and a book called "The Ultimate Guide to Girls." From Adriana3, plus you get a kiss from the-kaiba-heir along with a little message.
Kaiba: I don't know what to say.
Bakura: Wow, trench coat boy there got more presents than anyone else!
R.J: Finally, Yami!
Yami: Yeah?
R.J: Here's a $200 gift card from Adriana3! Yami: I feel so loved!
R.J: Anyway, here's the story!
**************************************************************************** *******************
The next morning was Friday. So quick isn't it? Today, the science reports were due and none of the UPL students looked like they had much sleep. Ryou himself looked like a few more hours of sleep wouldn't hurt.
(Ryou, I insist, go to sleep, I'll take over.)
(*yawns* No thanks Bakura)
(If I ever get my hands on your teacher.....)
(No talking about death Bakura please, it's early in the morning.)
(But, asking you to extend your report 20 or more pages 3 days before it's due?!)
(I know it's unfair but-)
(It's like asking some people to build a pyramid and have it done in one week!)
(Yeah....)
Ryou dropped onto the stairs and plunged into sleep. Bakura tried to wake him up but it was no use. The boy was too tired. Without thinking twice, he immediately switched with Ryou.
Now many people would consider this sight strange, a boy collapsing on the stairs and staying there for a while, then suddenly getting up and running up the stairs at full speed as if filled with energy.
"Hey Ryou!" Ayane greeted as she saw Bakura come up from the stairs.
Bakura headed toward her and gave her a grin. Might as well enjoy this while Ryou was sleeping.
"So, you got your science report done?" Ayane asked.
"Uhm..yes, but as soon as I hand it in I'm going to kill the teacher, the slave driving idiot!" Bakura said.
Ayane stared, then put her hand on Bakura's forehead.
"Ryou, are you alright? You're not coming down with something are you?" She asked.
"No, I'm fine." Bakura said, realizing Ryou would have never expressed thoughts about killing someone to a girl.
"Okay then." Ayane smiled. 'You do look a bit different though." She said.
"Yeah...lack of sleep." He said.
"Yeah, that report was murder, I wouldn't mind giving the teacher a little smack on the head." Ayane laughed while looking to the side.
"Really?" Bakura asked.
"Hmmm, I don't know, I guess that's my dark side coming out, I didn't get enough sleep." She gave a small laugh.
Bakura grinned at her. The thing she said about a dark side, he thought was a bit of a humorous coincidence. Just then he began to feel Ryou wake up in his soul room.
(B-Bakura?! What-what's happening?)
(Oh, you fell asleep on the stairs.)
(What? Right, so I'm awake now.)
There was a sensation and Ryou was back in his normal body. He began to rub his head and mumble when he realized that he was standing in front of Ayane.
"Ryou, are you sure you're okay?" Ayane asked.
"Me? Yeah, I'm fine." He said, giving a nervous laugh.
The bell rang and Ayane, Ryou and the rest of the students began to go inside their respective classrooms. Ayane sat beside Kaiba who was holding their report in his hands, going trough it one last time.
"Do you think it's enough Kaiba?" She asked.
"The number of pages was unreasonable in the first place, of course it's enough." He said in a cold tone.
"I guess you're right." She sighed.
The teacher arrived just as the second bell rang. He greeted the class and asked for their reports. Before anyone gave theirs, he asked if anyone would not be able to pass. The class was silent. The teacher smiled a strange satisfied smile and asked them to pass their reports.
The whole period, the teacher checked and went through their reports, frowning, smiling, nodding or shaking his head to himself. Students held their breath every so often when the teacher would pick up a certain report. Ayane sat down twiddling her finger and biting her lip in anxiousness. Kaiba noticed this, after a while he began to get annoyed.
"Don't do that, it's getting on my nerves." He said, putting his hand over hers to stop the movement.
Ayane looked at him, then to his hand which he slowly removed when he noticed she had stopped trying to move them.
"Sorry, I'm just nervous." She said giving him a weird smile.
"Well don't be." He simply stated and turned his attention back to the front.
After a while the teacher cleared his throat to signal that he was finished going through the reports.
"Though I haven't read them thoroughly yet, I have already made a preliminary evaluation on you reports." He said. "I must say all of you did above average works and I'm impressed, though some parts seemed to have been rushed," He said, eyeing a few students. "I assure all of you will receive a passing grade." He ended.
The whole class let out relieved sighs. The teacher then began to discuss the topics in their report until the bell signaling the end of first period rang. Everyone emptied the classroom, wanting to get to any other subject as soon as possible. Before Ayane could though, the teacher called her attention, as well as her partners.
"Ms. Kinoshi, Mr. Kaiba, could I speak to you for a moment?"
Ayane turned around and walked to her teacher. Kaiba hadn't left his seat yet so he didn't need to move.
"I usually don't do this but I have to congratulate you two. You report is by far the best I've seen in this class." He said.
"Thank you sir." Ayane beamed. Kaiba just looked bored.
"Well, off to class you go then." He said, straightening out some papers.
The two walked out of the classroom. Ayane's face was glowing. Kaiba looked like he had better things to do.
"Oh come on Kaiba, the least you could've done was showing a little gratitude." She said.
"Why? I don't have any good reason to." He said.
"But...fine, I guess you don't." She sighed.
The two got back to class and took their respective seats. As the class went on, each would sneak glances at each other ever so often, but neither noticed. When the bell rang, the teacher announced something.
"Class, there will be no lunch today, so recess will be extended from a 20 minute break to a 50 minute one." The class groaned. No lunch.....that was never good. While students were walking out of the classroom, Ayane ran to Ryou.
"Are you feeling better?"
"What?"
"You were acting all weird this morning. Are you feeling better?" Ayane repeated.
"Oh, that! Uhm, well, yeah, I'm fine." Ryou said.
"That's good." Ayane smiled.
"Yeah..let's go to the cafeteria. I'm hungry." Ryou said.
"Oh, you go ahead, I'll have to catch up with you. I need to return this book to the library." She said, raising a red science book.
"Yeah. Okay, do you want me to come with you?" He asked.
"That's okay, I know the way, you just go ahead Ryou." She smiled.
"Alright." Ryou replied as he went down the stairs.
Ayane wondered into the building the Library was supposed to be in. She didn't get lost once. Yay, go her! Anyway, as she made her way through a corridor, she felt footsteps coming closer to her. She turned around to see Andrea with some other girls, heading towards her.
"Uh oh." She whispered to herself.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Ms. Looser. Where's your freakish little British friend?" Andrea asked in a snobby tone.
"If you mean Ryou, he's in the cafeteria, and don't call him that again." Ayane snapped. No way was this prick going to make fun of her best friend.
"Whatever dork. We're not here to talk about him anyway."
"Let me guess, this is about Kaiba?" She asked with a raised eye brow.
"Wow, you actually figured that out all by yourself." Andrea mocked.
"Okay, listen here you little rat, we want you to stay away from Kaiba because he is ours!" Another girl stepped out.
Ayane took all the little "warnings" and insults one by one from girl to girl. She just stood there unfazed, sometimes looking bored. This made Andrea even more agitated.
(A/N: These aren't all Kaiba's ermm....fangirls, just the really nasty ones.)
"Look, I'm sure all of you have your own good reasons, but I have to return something to the library." Ayane said and turned on her heel but someone grabbed her and turned her around.
"Ack! What do you want from me?!" Ayane said, exasperated as she slapped Andrea's hands away from her own shoulder.
"I don't think you got my message." Andrea hissed. Most of the girls were gone already, probably thinking of ways to stalk Kaiba again.
"Look, there's nothing I can-" Ayane was cut off as a hand was put over her mouth and she was lifted from the ground.
Some tall guy was holding her back like a kidnapper would. Another guy appeared from somewhere and grinned. They looked like seniors. Andrea had an evil grin on her face.
"Hmm, this girl looks good." The guy beside Andrea said.
"I warned you, hopefully this will teach you a lesson, I wanted to do this outside of school, but you were really asking for it." Andrea grinned.
The guy was looking at Ayane in a not so friendly way. His gaze felt so dirty. He reached for Ayane. But before he could, Ayane did a back kick to the guy holding her, kicking him in the stomach and letting her go. The other guy lunged at her but she was fast and dodged it. The guy landed on his face and Ayane stepped on his back and pulled his arms.
"What the heck are you trying to do Andrea?!" Ayane asked.
"Teaching you a lesson you snake." She hissed.
"I'm not a defenseless little girl you know, I'll fight these guys off." She told Andrea though inside she wasn't so sure. She was about to try and get away.
The guy who had grabbed her previously however, got up and grabbed her again. The guy on the floor got back up and started to touch Ayane's face. Before anything else could happen, a punch flew out to the guy's cheek.
"Get your hands off of her." Kaiba said, angry.
"Kaiba-kun!" Andrea exclaimed and ran to him and hugged him.
"Get away from me." Kaiba said, his tone colder and angrier than ever. Andrea backed away.
"Aww, look who's come to save you." The boy said as he stroked Ayane's cheek roughly with his hand. Ayane had a look of worried-ness in her eyes, along with a few tears.
Ayane kicked the guy again, this time where it really hurt. She pinned him to the wall by pushing him when he was vulnerable and made an upper block (if you took Karate, you'd know what this was, if not, it's something where you use the part of your arm from wrist to elbow to block above your head.) to choke the guy. Kaiba, looked at her for a moment, grinned and then fought off the guy who had lunged at him. When the two had had enough, they ran off, one with a bloody nose and the other limping. Kaiba turned to Andrea.
"You, just stay away from her!" He pointed.
"I-I...." Andrea stuttered.
"It's one thing to obsess over something, it's another thing to try and hurt someone." He growled. Andrea just ran.
Kaiba turned to Ayane who was buttoning her uniform back up because the guy she was fighting had managed to grab her but she pulled away and the buttons on her top came undone. He walked over to her.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"Yeah, thank you Kaiba." She said as she turned to him and hugged him real tight, trying to hold back a few tears.
Kaiba held her for a while, knowing what she was feeling now. "Hey, its okay, they're gone now."
"Yeah, thank you, I owe you my life." She said, pulling away.
"I don't think you should go that far." He smiled. "I have to admit you know how to fight."
"Yeah, well, you did too." She smiled.
"Do you want to go to the classroom?" He asked, not knowing what else to say.
"I don't feel like eating now. Maybe, I should just go outside, get some fresh air, or, or something." She said, her tone far away.
Kaiba looked at her. "I'll come." He stated.
Ayane didn't contest this. Right now she just wanted to rest, maybe just go outside. They walked to the tree they had been under just one week ago. Ayane sat, pulled her knees close and rested her head on her knees facing away. Kaiba sat down beside and looked at her.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
"Yes."
"Ayane, you shouldn't have to take any crap from Andrea. She's the worst of her kind." He said.
"I figured." She said, turning her head so that it was facing Kaiba.
Kaiba grinned at her, Ayane replied with a smile. "I don't think I'll be able to make her stop hating me though." She said, an amused look in her eyes.
Kaiba reached out to her and tucked some of her hair behind her ear. "Why am I so nice to you?" He asked, more to himself but Ayane had heard it.
"Are you coming down with something?" She asked with a smile.
"No." He said. "Maybe because right now you're a weak little girl." He grinned.
"Yeah, I'm a weak little girl right now." She laughed
Kaiba continued to stroke her hair. Ayane closed her eyes, enjoying it. His touch was so different from anybody else's. After some time, she opened her eyes and straightened her head and legs.
"What a beautiful day." She said.
"Where did that come from?" Kaiba asked, looking at her strangely.
"Hm, nowhere." Ayane laughed.
Kaiba shook his head. "Don't get used to me being this nice; it only comes out once every five years." He said, a little amused.
"I'll wait five years then." Ayane said, staring off into space with a smile.
**************************************************************************** *********************
Ryou was worried. Ayane hadn't come back and recess was half over. He had gone to the library but the librarian had said that no one had come in the whole day. Ryou looked by the UPL rooms, but they were deserted.
(Ryou, ryou!)
(What is it Bakura?!)
(I found out what happened to your friend!)
(Huh? How?)
(Heard that conceited girl talking with some people.)
(Andrea?)
(Yes, she was talking to two guys who looked like they had been in a fight.)
(What did you hear?)
(That she was mad her plan didn't work out.)
(What plan?)
(She was planning on teaching Ayane a lesson to stay away from Kaiba, the two guys, apparently were supposed to do things to her so she would learn her lesson.)
(What?!)
(Yeah, dirty, I know.)
(W-what happened.)
(Kaiba showed up.)
(Okay.....)
(And he saved her, and told Andrea off.)
(Where are they now?)
(Ayane and Kaiba? I don't know, but I'm sure she's alright Ryou.)
(Okay..)
(Yeah. Now don't be a blabber mouth Abiou, the conceited one didn't want her defeat to get out.)
(What? Oh, yeah, sure Bakura.)
**************************************************************************** ***********************
Kaiba stared at Ayane for a moment. Ayane didn't mind though. After a while, she looked at him and gave him a laugh.
"Okay, what is it this time?" She smiled. "Did I suddenly grow another head?"
"What?"
"You keep staring at me."
"Oh." Kaiba said. He didn't have any excuse for that one.
"Well, it's okay." She laughed. "So, do you wanna go to the classrooms now?"
"There's still 15 minutes to recess." Kaiba said.
"Oh, okay, so you want to stay here?" She asked.
"Yeah, you can go if you want to." He said. "Please don't." He silently added.
"No, I want to stay here.....with you." Kaiba gave her a funny look. "It's the least that I could do, after you helped me get away from the serpent queen and her two goons." She smiled.
Kaiba just nodded. After a while both joined the students in the regular flow in the corridors, trying to get to their classrooms. When they got to their classrooms, Ayane immediately ran to Ryou, who looked relieved at seeing her.
"Ayane are you okay?" He asked after Ayane had run to him.
"Yeah, I'm really really sorry Ryou! Please forgive me." She said with a puppy dog face.
"Hey, calm down, it's okay, I'm just glad you're alright." He smiled.
"Yeah, well, I had a little run in with trouble." She shrugged.
"I knew I should've gone with you." Ryou said.
"Oh Ryou." She said slowly. "I don't want to be like a little kid who always needs an eye on her, I don't want to be trouble."
"No, no, you're not trouble." He said with a little smile.
"Okay, I'll buy that." She winked.
The bell rang and everyone went inside. When Ayane sat down next to Kaiba, se could feel his "cold" demeanor coming back. She could sense it, or maybe the air conditioner was just blowing harder than normal. She just shrugged off the feeling. Good things don't last forever.
*************************************************************************** **************************
"Hmm, so guys, do you plan on joining any clubs this year?" Tea asked as she sipped some soda out of a straw.
"Clubs? I'm not joining any; they're just a waist of time." Joey said.
"Oh come on Joey, wouldn't it be fun to join the math club?" Tristan joked.
"What club are you going to join Tea?" Ayane asked.
"The ballet club, assuming I can pass the auditions of course." Tea said.
"Of course you're going to pass Tea! You're the best ballet dancer I know." Yugi assured her with a smile.
Tea blushed. She and Yugi, hadn't actually talked about the whole date incident and she wasn't planning to do so anytime soon. Tristan and Joey continued to hurl insults at each other.
"Well, I bet it would be fun to see you in band!" Joey said.
"I can just imagine you in the chess team!" Tristan said back.
"What club are you going to join Yugi?" Ryou asked.
"Me? I don't know if I will, I mean, if my grandpa will allow me to." Yugi said, scratching his head.
"How about you Ryou?" Ayane asked.
"I don't know, maybe I'll just settle for the Science club again this year." Ryou said.
"Yeah, Tristan here will keep you company Bakura." Joey said, motioning to Tristan.
"I wouldn't get in anyway." Tristan said, giving Joey a look.
"You mean there's an audition for every club?" Ayane asked.
"Try outs, auditions. Interviews, screenings, or you have to pass some requirements, yeah pretty much." Tristan replied.
"Oh, but UPL students are automatically accepted into academic clubs." Ryou informed.
"That's nice to hear, but I don't want to go to the Math club, or the science club, no offense Ryou." She said with a smile.
"None taken."
"What if you don't get accepted into any club?" Ayane asked.
"Then you get into the peer tutoring club, you get to tutor little first- sixth grade kids from Domino elementary." Joey said. "Of course, you can go there by choice, if you wanted too."
"You're allowed to join two clubs, three if you can get a teacher's recommendation." Tea said.
"I'm sure we'll here about it later, teachers can never keep their mouths' shut." Joey joked.
Eventually the bell rang and everyone hurried off to their classrooms. The gang went off to their own classrooms. Yugi went off to the science lab, Tristan and Joey to room 203, Tea to room 207 and Ryou and Ayane to the UPL. (As you might have noticed already, Joey and Tristan are lab partners.)
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"Class, before I begin the lesson for today, the office has asked that this reply slip be passed to you." The teacher cleared his throat as he began to give out papers.
"This paper is in regards to your clubs." He said. "Please go through it, I'm sure all of you will find some club that stirs your interest, assuming you will receive your parent's permission of course, a maximum of two clubs is allowed per student. If you want to join a third club, a letter of recommendation is needed from your teacher." He continued.
All the UPL students eagerly went through their papers. Around the room you could hear different sounds of voices excited ones, bored ones and even worried ones. Ayane looked through hers, wondering what club she would like the best.
"Hey Kaiba, which club are you taking?" She asked curiously.
"None." He stated curtly.
"Huh? Why?" Ayane asked, confused.
"I don't have time. Plus they're just a waste of time." He said, without emotion.
"Oh, I don't think so." Ayane said with a thoughtful look in her eyes.
Kaiba looked at her face. "I'm lucky I don't have your sanguinity," He sneered.
"I'm lucky I don't have your pessimism." She said. "I've got my own, but I don't show it as much." She smiled.
Kaiba smirked.
"Maybe I should join the debate team; you think I'll get in?" She asked, looking at the paper.
"You have an attitude....and a mouth." He smirked at her, tone going from cold to colder.
"Yeah...I'm sure. The chess team looks interesting." She said.
Kaiba looked at Ayane. Somehow he couldn't imagine her, hunched over a chessboard, furrowing her eyebrows and frowning. Ayane saw the look he was giving her.
"What? Hey, I know how to play chess." She shrugged.
"Class, I would also like you to be reminded that if you are not part of a club, you will not be eligible for an honor. I know this may sound a bit harsh on you kids, but it's a new rule." The teacher said.
The class each gave different reactions. Ayane herself thought that this was a bit harsh. She looked over to Kaiba, who had a look of pure disbelief in his face for one fourths of a nanosecond but then quickly replaced it with a look of cold annoyance.
"Hmm, yeah well, I'll try out for the chess team, and the debate club." Ayane continued as if the teacher had said nothing, "I assume you'll be needing to join a club now, which one?" She asked with a hint of mischief.
**************************************************************************** ************************
Joey looked at his list of clubs. Which one to choose? It's not like he could get into any club he wanted though. Tristan, beside him was eyeing the choices with a bored look in his eye. Joey wearily put his gaze back on the list of clubs.
Dance Club
Ballet Club
Cheering Squad
Glee club
Band
Music ensemble
Drama Club
Writer's League
The Back issue (School newspaper, interesting title, aint it?)
Art Club
Math Club
Science Club
Historians Club
Debate Club
Culinary Arts Club
Sports Club
-Swimming
-Basketball
-Volleyball
-Soccer
-Baseball
-Chess
-Badminton
-Tennis
Video and Photography club
Home Maker's Club
Peer Tutoring
Reader's club
Joey grimaced. Why wasn't there ever any club he could fit into? Like a duelist club, or a video game club. He turned his head to Tristan who had the same blank expression on his face. Joey just started crossing out those clubs that didn't look even remotely interesting.
**************************************************************************** ***********************
When the bell rang, everyone slowly spilled out of the classrooms. Pretty soon the whole campus was littered with students, all making plans for the weekend. Yugi, Tea and Tristan were already sitting down on a bench, waiting for the others. Joey was by the school doors, fighting with Kaiba because he had stepped on his Red eyes and had called it a second rate card.
Ayane and Ryou were coming down from the stairs. They reached the first floor and rounded a corner, walking towards the schools main door. Ayane averted her eyes from Ryou to the door, surprised to see Joey and Kaiba going at it with each other. Joey looked like he was ready to lunge at Kaiba and tear that smirk of his face, along with his hair and his eyes. Kaiba just stood there, satisfied that he had made Joey act like the dog he was. (sorry to all Joey fans out there!)
"Oh no, not again." Ryou mumbled.
"This happens all the time?" Ayane asked.
"You'll get used to it." Ryou smiled.
Joey was about to grab Kaiba by the collar of his uniform when he felt two pairs of hands hold him back. He saw his two UPL friends, struggling to pull him back.
"Don't Joey!" Ryou said.
"This jerk was asking for it." Joey said, still trying to grab Kaiba.
"Honestly, I wouldn't be mad if someone stepped on one of my useless cards, though, I admit, I don't have any useless cards." Kaiba smirked.
"See, he's doing it again!" Joey said, now trying harder than ever to shake his two friends off.
"Joey...." Ayane trailed off as she tried to keep a hold on him.
Joey finally stopped struggling, having mercy on his two friends. He mumbled something to Kaiba along the lines of, "ya, jerk, you're lucky these two were here to stop me." And followed Ryou to where the gang usually sat. Ayane however stayed behind.
"Don't you want to follow your friends?" He smirked, dusting off his coat.
"Yeah....are you alright?" She asked quietly, looking at him.
Kaiba was a bit surprised at her question.
"I'm fine, that mutt could never win a fight against me." He sneered.
"Okay, well, bye, I'll see you on Monday, I guess." She said and smiled up at him, before running off.
**************************************************************************** ********************* R.J: I hate my life.
Bakura: How many times have I heard you say that already?
Ryou: Why do you hate it so much?
R.J: Because my slave driving teachers gave us homework for Christmas break, 50 tons of it!
Ryou: Hey R.J, take it easy.
Bakura: Yeah, take it easy kid, we don't want to grow old to quickly now do we.
R.J: How many times do I have to tell you, I have a name?
Bakura: A guy's name. What does R.J stand for anyway? Romeo and Juliet?
R.J: No, it's my pen name, if you had bothered to look at my profile you'd know that.
Ryou: Okay, I think we better go back to the story.
**************************************************************************** *************************
The gang was sitting on a stone bench. They had successfully calmed Joey down after ten minutes of smoke coming out from his ears. Now, they were planning on what clubs to join.
"Well, I think you guys could try out for the basketball team, you have the right height." Ayane told Tristan and Joey, who were looking through their papers again.
"Maybe I'll just stay in the science club." Ryou told himself.
"Why don't you try the Drama club?" Yugi suggested.
"Yeah! I think you'd be great in it." Ayane said.
"The Drama club? I don't know, I sort of have a bad case of stage fright." He said.
"Oh come on Bakura, I think you should try it." Tea said.
After some time, the gang separated, each having his or her own plans for the weekend. Ayane and Ryou were the last ones to leave.
"Hey Ryou." Ayane said, just as he was standing up.
"Yeah?"
"Do you know if there are any bookstores near here, I want to see if some books are already out."
"Yeah, I could take you there if you want." He said.
"Thanks." She smiled. "Maybe we could go to my house after, play cards or something."
"Yeah, that'd be great. Come on." He said, offering his hand.
**************************************************************************** ********************
Kaiba was just getting into his limo when his cellphone rang. He recognized the number as the number of his house. He picked it up.
"Big Brother?"
"Yes Mokuba? Are you alright?"
"Yeah, it's just that I need a book for English class tomorrow but I don't have it."
"Which book is it?"
"Some book called Twice the Fool; I don't remember who wrote it."
"I'll see if there's one in the bookstore near here."
"Thank you big brother!"
"No problem Mokuba."
Kaiba put his cellphone down and gave the driver instructions to head for the bookstore.
**************************************************************************** ********************
Ryou and Ayane walked into the bookstore. It was a large place which looked like it had been pulled straight out of old England. It was mainly lit by a huge window in the ceiling and there were wooden tables in the very center. It actually looked more like a medieval library.
"Wow, this place is amazing." Ayane said under her breath.
"Yeah, I like to come here whenever I think everywhere else is just too noisy. It's usually very quiet here."
Ayane nodded and she and Ryou began to look through the books on the shelves. They spent quite some time there. Ryou was glad it was just her and him again. After some time, Ryou looked over the other side of the store and saw Kaiba.
"Hey look, it's Kaiba." He told Ayane.
Ayane poked her head out from the other side of a book shelf.
"Want to go and say hi?" She grinned.
"Uhm, no, I don't think I'd want to." He said.
Ayane laughed a little then disappeared back behind the bookshelf. Ryou smiled and then wondered off to the second floor of the two story bookstore.
Kaiba looked but he couldn't find the book anywhere. He decided to look over to the other side. He walked there and was surprised to find his Lab partner, looking through a bookshelf. He walked over to her, without really meaning to.
"Oh, hi Kaiba." She greeted with a smile.
"Seto." He said, reminding her about what Mokuba had told her.
"Oh right." Ayane said, looking down and blushing.
"Have you seen a book entitled, Twice the Fool?" He asked her.
"Oh, yeah, I've seen it." She said.
"Well.....where is it?" He asked impatiently.
"Jeez Seto calm down." She smiled.
She led him over to a few bookshelves near where they were standing. She looked around and finally stopped and pointed to a bunch of red books on the top shelf.
"There they are, hang on I'll get one for you." She said.
There was a step ladder by the shelf and she placed it where she had been standing and stepped up to reach for the book. It was still a bit out of her reach so she had to step on tiptoes. Kaiba just stood there, crossed armed, smiling inwardly. He didn't notice a pair of little kids running at full speed across the place. The two hyperventilating kids ran past them and knocked over the little step ladder, causing Ayane to loose her balance and fall. Kaiba's eyes grew wide and he immediately reached out and caught her before she could get hurt. (Wedding style. ^_^) He held Ayane for a while staring into her eyes. She blushed when she realized what happened. For some time, they just stared at each other.
"Seto, um, are you going to put me down anytime soon?" She asked in a sweet tone.
Kaiba shook his head and put Ayane down. He quickly gave her a cold smirk.
"I don't believe how clumsy you are." He told her.
"Yeah, I guess." She said, giving a little laugh. "Here's the book." She handed the book to him.
"Thanks." He said blankly, taking the book.
"I'm sure Mokuba will like the book." She smiled.
"How'd you know it was for him?" Kaiba asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh come on Set-o." She said in a false exasperated tone, she then smiled. "Twice the fool is a book about a guy who looses his girl twice in his life then dies and comes back as an angel, it's something they usually prescribe to elementary kids because of the plot and the characters, and I really can't imagine you reading a romance novel." She laughed.
"Well, think what you will." He said coldly before turning away. He looked at the book in his hands.
"See you in school." He heard her call. He just turned his head and smirked at her.
**************************************************************************** ******************************
Later, Ayane and Ryou were heading over to her house from the bookstore. They passed a desolate street where Ryou could sense that someone was following them.
"Uhm, are you sure?" Ayane asked, looking around for the fifth time.
"It's probably just my imagination." Ryou said, shrugging the feeling off.
They continued walking. For a while nothing happened, then they heard movements from somewhere behind them. Both turned around swiftly but nothing was there.
(Watch out Ryou!)
Ryou turned around and ducked just in time as something metal almost collided with his head. He and Ayane looked in front of them to see two guys with menacing looks on their faces.
"It's those guys from this morning." Ayane said to herself.
"Who are you?!" Ryou yelled.
"No time for introductions, but I believe your friend over there knows who we are." One of the guys said.
Ryou looked over to Ayane who gave him a look he couldn't quite read. He gave her a confused look but then realized what this was all about when he remembered what Bakura had told him earlier.
"We'll make you pay for what you did." The other guy said.
(Ryou watch out!)
The warning came too late. Ryou dropped down onto the ground.
**************************************************************************** ****************
R.J: I wonder what happened.
Yugi: You're not going to leave the readers there are you?
Yami: That would be plane cruel.
Bakura: I know, isn't it great?
Kaiba: So you're ending it here?
R.J: Let me think.......no, I want to write more! ^_^
Bakura: Dang!
**************************************************************************** **********************
The warning came too late. Ryou dropped onto the ground, just as something hit his head. Ayane came up to where the unconscious boy was lying. (A/N: I wasn't going to kill Ryou, he's one of my fav characters!) It was a crowbar that had hit him on the head. (I don't know why, the guys were stupid and couldn't think of anything else, I guess.)
"Now it's your turn girly." One of the guys said with a dirty look on his face.
Ayane stood up, her face showed anger. She stood up and just when the guy was about to grab her, ducked down and gave him a sweep, knocking him down. She then got ready for the other guy who was getting ready to pounce on her.
(Ryou, wake up!)
(.............)
(Ryou, in the name of Ra, please wake up!)
(...............)
(What do I do, what do I do?!)
(...............)
(I'll show these guys my wrath *laughs like a maniac*)
From where Ayane was struggling with the two guys had grabbed her, there was a quick glow behind them. The guys let go of her to look. There, standing like nothing had happened was the boy they had knocked out. Something in the way he looked was different though.
"I'll take care of this one." The guy to Ayane's right said as he stomped off to where Bakura was standing.
The other guy grabbed Ayane by the shoulders, but she kicked him by the back of the knee making him kneel and he let go. She then knocked him down with her full body weight by jumping on him.
Bakura was grinning as the other guy who was at least one and a half heads taller than he was headed to him. The two boys fought and from the looks of it Bakura was winning. (Of course, he's a thousand year old tomb robber.) The guy, who looked agitated because a freshman could beat him up, decided to end it all.
"Time to get serious." He said as he pulled out a knife from his pocket.
There was a gasp from behind where they stood. Ayane was staring wide eyed at the knife. She had successfully knocked out the guy she was fighting by dumping a trashcan on his head and banging it repeatedly until the guy was knocked out. (What?! I ran out of ideas, and besides, someone wouldn't be knocked out if you knocked them down with your whole body and you were smaller than them ^_^) She ran to help but Bakura gave her a look that said to stay back.
After a while of fighting Bakura managed to render the guy unconscious and the knife a safe distance away from anyone. Ayane walked over and stared at the unconscious guy then at Bakura (whom she still thinks is Ryou) who gave her a grin. She smiled back.
"Are you alright?" She asked in a quiet tone.
"Yeah, just a few cuts, nothing serious." He said.
"Come on, we better get to my house." Ayane smiled.
When they got to her house, no one appeared to be home. Ayane told Bakura to sit down on one of the couches in the living room as she ran off to somewhere. Bakura sat down, he had long given up on waking up Ryou. He looked at the different cuts and bruises on his arms and the rips on his shirt. He was actually amazed that Ayane could fight the way she did. Ayane came back with what looked like a medical kit.
"I can't believe those guys, I'm sorry you had to get involved." She looked at him with an apologetic look.
"It's okay, I needed a little exercise anyway, that guy was just chicken feed." Bakura laughed.
Ayane raised an eyebrow. She then shook her head, laughed and began to treat the injuries on his arms. Bakura watched closely as the girl bandaged his wounds, being careful not to inflict any extra pain. He didn't wince once. His eyes followed her closely as she moved to the other arm. Back in Egypt, it was always he who would bandage himself if he got cut, he didn't do a very good job either. He smirked as the girl finished.
"Thanks." He said.
"Yeah, oh, there's blood coming from your shirt too." She pointed.
"Don't worry about it." Bakura said.
"Well, if you're sure." She said, smiling at him uncertainly.
Silence.
Silence.
Silence.
*a quiet laugh.*
"You know, I've never seen someone as brave as you are Ryou."
"What?"
"I don't know, like remember that time you told Andrea off, well it seemed to come out of nowhere." She said after giving a quick laugh.
"Yeah, I'm a spontaneous person." Bakura grinned.
"Yeah, well, I guess I'm lucky you're my friend." She smiled.
(B-Bakura? What happened?)
(Oh good Ryou you're finally awake.)
(What happened?)
(I'll explain later, right now though....)
Ryou felt a familiar sensation. After a flash of a second, he was back in his own body, he was surprised to see bandages on his arms and blood on his shirt.
"What?" Ryou said to himself.
"What is it Ryou?" Ayane asked.
Ryou looked from her to his arms. He did so about two times before he decided to interrogate Bakura later. He smiled at Ayane.
"Nothing, I think I better get home now." He smiled, sighing inwardly because he didn't really want to go.
"I guess so; well I'll see you in school then, take care of yourself." She smiled, winking as she did.
"Yeah," Ryou trailed off.
After convincing Ayane he could go home alone, Ryou walked off to the direction of his house. When he got there, he changed into his night clothes, hoping his father wouldn't notice the blood stains on his shirt. When he was in his bedroom, Bakura materialized.
"Okay, what happened?" Ryou asked worriedly.
"Nothing I couldn't handle." Bakura said, then proceeded to tell Ryou the whole story while including some of his own inserts about how heroic he was.
After the story, Ryou had a look of mild shock and amusement on his face. He then thought for a while, then faced his Yami.
"But you didn't kill anyone right? Or send anyone to the shadow realm?"
"What kind of spirit do you take me for?" Bakura asked mockingly.
Ryou ignored the question.
"Oh, as long as everyone's still alive."
"Ryou you have got to learn the meaning of fun."
"Tell me tomorrow." Ryou said sleepily.
"Goodnight Bakura."
"Goodnight Hikari." And with that, Bakura dissolved back to the ring.
**************************************************************************** *********************** R.J: Alright people, that's all for now!
Bakura: Great! *Sends the two guys from before to the shadow realm*
Ryou: I knew you'd do it sooner or later.
Kaiba: I don't understand why you're Yami is still loose in public.
Joey: Yeah, isn't he supposed to be in the mental ward?
Ryou: He sends anyone who tries to get him in there in the shadow realm.
R.J: Right well....leave a review, you can tell me which clubs you think the guys fit into. I already have plans, but I'm always eager to hear what you guys think.
Tristan: Joey for the Reader's club!
R.J: Uh huh, or if you think I missed any clubs that are usually there, you can tell me too! So anyway, review!
Bakura: Yeah, see that little purple button there? Press it!