The Stones of Fate
A Yu-Gi-Oh! Fanfiction Series by Cosmic Jester
Dear Diary Saga
Story One: The Lonely Child
Notice! The previous posting of this was highly censored do to its dark nature. I decided not to give a crap about what the genki fangirls think and write MY story MY way. This story is going to be dark and depressing in many, repeat MANY places, but light and humorous in others.
This story will contain a teacher having lustful and carnal thoughts for a pupil, a young girl going completely insane and trying to commit suicide, and Yami-sama's style of poetic justice from the manga. If these and other dark subject don't appeal to you please return to the Yu-Gi-Oh! directory and move on.
In short, this story is rated R for a reason. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Despite my fondest wishes Yu-Gi-Oh! does not belong to me.
Babbit: *pops out of nowhere above her right shoulder, flapping his purple wings* That's right! If it did, Seto's hair would have stayed green and Jonouchi would wear lots of tight leather.
... Ignore the bat-rabbit-figment-of-my-imagination-type-creature. Ahem. Matsura Sumiko is an original character based on a Japanese foreign echange student. She is NOT a Mary Sue.
Babbit: That's right! If Jester-chan met her idol she wouldn't just brush it off like Sumiko-san. She'd completely freak out and make an idiot of herself!
*fwaps him with a red mallet with a loud *THNK!* sound* Quiet, you. That only happened once. At any rate, only Sumiko and the storyline belong to me. Please read, enjoy, and review it even if you didn't enjoy it.
Chapter One: Stranger
My Computer | My Documents | public | myjournal.doc
September 14, 2003 10:23 pm
Dear Diary,
I just arrived in Japan yesterday. Gram met me at the airport, waving that fan of hers with the blue dragonflies. It was good to see her so happy and healthy... I keep remembering her in the hospital nine months ago, and then during Mom and Pop's wake... Okay, I'm going to stop right there. Sue told me not to dwell on negative thoughts.
Gram and I had a nice talk while driving to her house at the edge of town. It's a nice white house with three bedrooms and a major luxury in any city--a yard. Gramps made a small seiwa-en out of it with high, ivy-covered stone fences. There's a small koi pond, it's a bit algae-filled now, but I'll get it straightened out soon enough.
My babies took the move pretty well. Narcissi, Alexander, and Caesar all have most of their color back in their fins, and none of my hermit crabs have lost any limbs. Most of my stuff is already here in boxes, and the rest is coming day after tomorrow.
I got in to one of the higher-regarded high schools around, and I even tested into my grade level, class B. ^_^
Senko isn't exactly happy about my having to move, but it's not like I had a choice in the matter. Besides, once she really gets to know Gram I'm sure she'll come around.
I think this is a big enough entry for tonight, considering how early I have to get up tomorrow.
Oyasumi nasai.
~S~
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September 14, 2003 10:46 pm
Dear Diary,
I rode in an "airplane" today. It's frickin' unnerving having all that air underneath you. She told me all about how it works, so I wasn't too scared, though I really really really did not want to move. Shit. I'd hardly begun to understand one school and now I have to learn all about another? Fuck that! There's no way in Hell I'm going to be able to be happy here. Until I meet a hot Japanese guy at school, of course. I'd better, or I'll never get outta the house!
I don't want to seem boy-crazy. Fact of the matter is I'm really not. I just want to get out and experience life, preferably on another's dime. Or yen, I suppose. It's better than staring at a computer screen for hours with internet projects and video games, burning my retinas off. I don't see the attraction of sitting around all day doing mindless tasks. ...but then again, her parents did just die. It's doubtful she wants to think about anything.
There's nothing really more for me to talk about now, so I'm gonna go to bed.
Night,
~S~
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With a yawn Sumiko pushed the power button on her lap-top's monitor, eyes the color of golden jade watching as slender fingers carefully closed the unit and moved it aside onto her nightstand. She picked up the novel laying beside her that she had brought to read while on the plane to Japan and nestled the book deep in the back of the drawer, which was shut before the orphan flopped onto her back, gazing up at the ceiling that had enchanted her as a child. It was painted blue with clouds to resemble the sky. The paint faded down the walls until the bottom three feet, which were white with accents to give the illusion one was on a raft in the sky made from a cloud.
It had been one of Grandmother's flights of fancy. Since the sky and clouds fascinated the old woman's only granddaughter that was the theme chosen for the room that would be hers during her summer visits to Japan. She and her husband had painted every last brush stroke themselves.
Yellow-green eyes shimmered with unfallen tears as the teenaged girl reached to touch the wall with her fingertips. She'd memorized every cloud, every ray of light her grandparents had given her. The soft pads of her fingers ran over the familiar swirl patterns. Surrounded by this silent evidence of love she felt safe and comforted; the paint was like an all-encompassing bear hug.
As she drew her hand back and reached for the string on her nightstand's lamp she felt the familiar burning on her forearm and gave a startled gasp. Reflexively she brought the bandage wrapped around her wrist to inspect it for fresh blood. The pain reminded her of the day the wound had been cut. She could still feel her dagger's weight in her right hand, the feel of the blade cutting into her own flesh, and the pain that flooded her senses until the pretty red stream flowing down her arm washed it away and she lay down to die...
After finding no evidence that her self-inflicted injury had reopened she reached out once more, slower, calmly clasped the small, bell-shaped piece of brass dangling at the end of the cord and gave it a single pull.
Now bathed in darkness save the tiny bit of light a streetlight managed to sneak past her blinds' defenses she stood and tugged the bedspread off her bed, catching a dark brown teddy bear before it fell. After turning down the blanket and sheet the raven-haired girl settled her weary, shapely form between them and nestled the fuzzy stuffed animal against her chest. Hugging it tightly as tears slowly began to fall; she closed her eyes and whispered softly to it.
"Goodnight, Harry."
~ % ~
"Have you heard about the new kid coming to class today?"
"Yeah, I heard he killed his parents!"
"No way, they wouldn't let a murderer into Domino High."
Anzu paused in reading her math book, ignoring Honda and Jonouchi behind her who were talking about the latest issue of some girlie mag while Yugi was listening in, blushing and pretending not to hear them as he fussed with his Duel Monster's deck. She didn't approve of gossip since it only served to spread tall tales, but there was usually at least some shred of truth behind each rumor. The three girls huddled around the desk in front of her ignored her, as usual, but that was fine.
It made for better listening.
"My mother said that he just moved here from America." The tallest with hair cut in a boyishly short style was apparently the best informed of the trio.
A disapproving squeal came from her pigtailed friend. "A gaijin?"
"Maybe not," said the third girl with long, bone-straight locks. "My mother told me that he's the grandkid of Matsura Hachibei."
Anzu tuned the girls out; their nasal "cute" voices were beginning to irritate her. 'Matsura Hachibei. He was that inventor that died under suspicious circumstances, wasn't he?' Thoughtful, she rested her chin against her palm, using her arm as a prop against her desk.
"Daijoubu ka, Anzu?"
Shaken out of her reverie by a familiar gentle voice she turned to smile at the boy who was standing beside her. His worried, innocent eyes were almost at the same level as her own, and she was sitting down. "Daijoubu, Yugi." A hand reached out to playfully ruff the teen boy's unnaturally spiky tri-colored hair. His face screwed into an expression so comical she burst into giggles as he squirmed to escape.
"You hear about the new student?"
"Yes, I just did." She discretely glanced at the trio of girls who were still chatting away, speculating on what horrible person they would get as a new classmate to show him how she'd gotten her information.
Yugi rolled his eyes at what reliable sources she had. He grasped the pyramid-shaped puzzle in his hands and there was a pause as the duelist squirmed inwardly, trying to work up his nerve on his own without his 'inner self' helping. "Uh, Anzu? I was wondering..."
"Oi, Yugi!"
Yugi jumped, startled, and then turned to smile up at his two male friends, leaving Anzu wondering what he was talking about. "What's up, Jou?"
The blonde grinned. "Any ideas on what the new kid'll be like?"
Yugi frowned thoughtfully and reached both hands behind his crown of tri-colored hair. "I don't know," he admitted. "I hope they're nice, though. And play Duel Monsters."
The spirit in the puzzle sent a thought to Yugi, which he relayed to the rest of them. 'I agree. We haven't had a new challenger in far too long.'
"Is dueling all you two think about?" Honda shook his head in disbelief.
Amethyst eyes sparkled as Yugi showed his most enthusiastic grin. "Maybe!"
The small group's chuckles were interrupted by their teacher's arrival. "Settle down," Mr. Tanaka declaimed as he set his briefcase on the desk in front. "Please take your seats!"
Class B quieted much faster than normal.
He nodded. "Good, good." He cleared his throat and smiled at his pupils. "As I'm certain you have all heard by now we have a new student today. Due to family circumstances they've come from America to live with their grandmother and have enrolled in our fine school." He gestured to the open door. "Come in now, please."
The entire class leaned in expectantly, not knowing what kind of punk, delinquent or gang-member was going to walk into their classroom, and most of them clearly expected the worst. With baited breath they were silent as quiet footsteps approached, the gossipers squirming nervously. There was a pause as if the student was nerving themself, then stepped in.
Part of her long, silky black hair was pulled away from her lovely face and tied with a cheerful crimson and red bow that set off her unusual gold-green eyes. The length of her hair trailed down her back to her dainty waist. Her uniform was flawlessly pressed and the uniform knee-high baggy socks were tucked into modest loafers. The slender fingers of her right hand clasped a messenger style schoolbag's handle hard enough to turn her knuckles white. There was a bright smile on her lips, though with the nervousness in her eyes it seemed a little forced. She was short, under five and a half feet tall, but had a noble, classic beauty and a regal bearing which added to her presence.
Yami stirred uncomfortably. Something about this girl was curiously but undeniably familiar, which was very unsettling. He had never seen her before, and yet he knew her face, and what her voice would sound like when she spoke. As she bowed deeply at the waist towards the class he blinked, and found himself lounging on a gilded barge as it floated down the Nile, a girl he didn't know to his left, and Kaiba Seto's previous incarnation to his right. To his cousin the Priest's right was that girl, dressed in a fine, gauzy belted dress with a jewel encrusted broad golden collar worn over it and a gold circlet with a falcon design rested on her head, the wings of which came down, hiding her ears from sight when looked at head on. The Priest draped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him, causing her to open her mouth to protest playfully...
"Hajimemash'te. I am Matsura Sumiko."
"Pleased to meet you too," chimed the class in unison, returning her greeting and startling Yami out of his vision or daydream, which he mentally shook off.
'I'm just getting my past memories mixed up,' he told himself, even though it wasn't a very comforting thought.
Tanaka-sensei had yet to take his eyes off her. She was the answer to every last one of his dark fantasies. He imagined how her skin would feel, how she would taste, how her hair would smell; how she would yelp when the crop came down the first time onto her flawless skin with a snap. In his mind he saw her shame as the strikes became a pleasant but painful sensation against her skin. He even imagined her voice crying out in protest even while her body gave in to her desires, and again as he would thrust his member into her virgin body...
He felt his pants tighten as she turned to smile at him. "Sensei, may I take a seat?" She brought her bag in front of herself to clasp with both hands.
Mentally filing his daydream away for later he smiled and nodded in return and looked out over the class. "Hmm, let's see." He saw several spots open, and picked one which would best suit his plans, which happened to be next to a certain boy with tri-colored hair. "Mutou!"
Yugi's eyes widened a little. 'Oh shit.'
'Shh, calm down hikari,' Yami's mind-voice soothed.
Mentally taking a breath Yugi hopped to his feet. "Hai, sensei?"
"Miss Matsura, take the seat beside Mutou there. He'll help you adjust to our school."
Sumiko walked sedately to her assigned seat, knowing that all eyes were riveted to her every movement and doing her best not to let her nervousness show. Yugi smiled as he sat down, recognizing the stage fright from his duels with new Duel Monster duelists.
Reaching her seat she bowed to Yugi, not quite as deep as before, and spoke. "Pleased to meet you, Mutou-san." Her hair fell briefly away from her face, exposing her earrings to his sight--they were simply gold studs with a small ankh dangling from one, and a scarab from the other.
As he returned the bow from his seat Yugi sent a thought to Yami. 'Cool, she's into Egyptian stuff!'
'Or she just thought they were pretty,' added the other Yugi dryly, watching the girl settle into her new desk with a soft sigh of relief as Tanaka began his lesson.
"Psst!"
Sumiko closed her eyes a moment so noone would see her roll them. 'And here we see the male population begin their ritual attempts at getting their asses kicked.' She looked at the one who has tried to grab her attention, a single eyebrow raised in silent question.
"Is it true you killed your parents?"
Shock prevented her rage from forming. Her mouth opened several times but she was unable to form a reply. Luckily, she didn't have to.
"Of course she didn't, now shut up," another male whisper said before continuing more threateningly. "Before I MAKE you shut up."
Sumiko glanced at the one who had stood up for her. He was tall with dark eyes and hair that came up in a spike rather like a pompadour.
"Yeah," added another student, drawing her gaze. He was blue-eyed with a bushy blonde hairdo. "Matsura hasn't done anything to a'ya, so lay off o'her or you'll answer to us." The student turned a roguish grin and a flirtatious wink at Sumiko with a thumbs-up sign.
The orphan blushed faintly but nodded her thanks to her two rescuers with a small smile. 'Hmm,' she thought as she turned back to the teacher, 'the blond is kind of cute, if you like the type. Maybe this place won't be so boring after all.'
All during class notes were passed around silently and furtive glances were directed at the new girl, though the looks from some of the girls were more like glares. She simply ignored it all, including any notes people tried to pass to her. Her focus refused to break, and eventually the notes stopped, save a few comparing her to Kaiba Seto or a glacier.
During the mathematics lesson Yugi watched her ice princess act, nonplussed. Experience with Kaiba had taught him that people's emotions can be denied to the point where they seem like little more than heartless automatons, but their eyes would always give them away. Kaiba's always revealed his love for his younger brother, losing their hard edge and warming slightly.
'Seems to me that she just doesn't want to be overwhelmed in the middle of class,' spoke a small voice within the small boy. 'It's just a defense mechanism.'
Yugi smiled faintly. Yami had decided that Yugi's psych class might benefit his strategies for the various games he plays so had read the book several times with Yugi turning the pages for him. 'Maybe she'll be more likely to talk after class or during lunch.'
Lunchtime found a crowd of students around Sumiko's desk firing off question after question, faster than she could answer. Finally she excused herself, took her purse of its hook, grabbed her bento, and fairly ran out the door. She hurried through the halls and down the steps, ignoring the looks she was earning for this distinctly un-Japanese behavior.
As she pushed open the main door a breathless voice rang out. "Wait! Matsura-san! Wait!"
Recognizing the small boy's voice she paused just long enough for Mutou Yugi to catch up. "Hello, Mutou-san, may I help you?"
He smiled brightly in response. "Call me Yugi. Wanna sit with my friends and me?" He pointed with a finger out towards the benches where his group of friends typically ate.
Following where he was pointing to she saw a girl with short auburn hair sitting with the two boys who had rescued her in the classroom. Her stoic face broke into a smile as the girl grabbed the blonde's ear and shouted something which was muffled and distorted by the other activities going on outside.
As she was turning almost shyly to face him she said "I-if you really don't mind, I think I would like to."
"Of course we don't mind, s'why you got invited, Matsura-san!" He started off towards his friends, calling back over his shoulder. "I'll introduce you to everyone, okay?"
"That's fine," she replied, "as long as you call me Sumiko."
~ % ~
Yugi made the introductions. Sumiko learned the girl was Mazaki Anzu who loved to dance ballet. The tallest guy was a motor sports nut named Honda Hiroto who went by his family name, and the blond was Jonouchi Katsuya who did too.
As she picked up an apple-and-cheese skewer from her bento she looked up at the blond and asked, "What's your forte, Jonouchi-san?"
His chest puffed out importantly. "I'm a Duel Monsters duelist. I even came in second at Duelist Kingdom!"
Anzu rolled her pretty, dark eyes. "And he's been reminding us of that fact ever since." Everyone laughed while Jonouchi glowered at her.
"Yeah, well, Yugi here's the best duelist in the world!"
Yugi looked away from the new student, blushing. "Jou, you're embarrassing me."
Something clicked in Sumiko's head. 'So that's why his name was so familiar. Mutou Yugi is the undisputed world champion.' He seemed like he was trying to keep a low profile, and since she wasn't one to make a fuss about things she simply smiled. Out loud she said, "Well, that's good. I've met two good duelists for me to challenge."
Immediately pairs of deep honey and violet eyes sparked with interest and gazed at her. "You're a duelist?"
As an answer to Yugi's question she tugged her purse onto her lap, opened it, and withdrew a deck of Duel Monster cards from an internal pocket.
Jonouchi grinned. "Whoa, a girl duelist without an obnoxious attitude!"
Yugi sweatdropped. "Mai isn't... uh, well... She's not that bad."
Sumiko laughed along with the others. Though she had no idea who they were talking about she could well imagine the type. The wind chose that moment to pick up and the sun streaming through the tree leaves fell onto the swaying Puzzle hanging in front of Yugi's abdomen, catching on the stylized eye carved onto the front and drawing the new girl's gaze. 'That pendant has the same symbol as...'
Jonouchi interrupted her thoughts with his biggest, best grin. "So how about it, Sumiko? Want to duel?"
"Er, right now?" She looked at him uncertainly.
"Sure, why not?" His eyes sparkled. "Or do you want to use duel disks?"
She looked down at her deck. 'I don't want to frighten off the few friends I've made,' she thought to herself miserably. As she opened her mouth to decline politely the bell rang, interrupting her. She looked back up with a smile. "Er, why don't we talk about this later? Maybe after school, when we will have more time?"
Anzu brightened. "How about we all go to Burger World after school? That way we can get to know each other better and not feel rushed." 'And I won't be late for my shift,' she added silently, knowing her friends would understand her reason for suggesting her workplace.
"Sounds good to me," Honda said with a grin.
"Wahoo!" Yugi whooped as he made a little hop and waved his hands. "Burgers!"
Jonouchi playfully got the smaller boy in a headlock. "Calm down, Yuge, s'just burgers."
"Yeah, but they're especially yummy at Burger World!"
Sumiko giggled as she watched the boys' playful struggle until Yugi wriggled himself free. The entire group continued to chat about the food at Burger World as they packed up and headed back up to class. As they settled into their respective seats she placed her bag back on its hook and tucked her bento into her desk then opened her bag. Pulling out her laptop she flipped the power switch, opened it, and set it on her desk, waiting for her desktop to load.
A glance at the clock let her know she didn't have much time to write.
My Computer | My Documents | public | myjournal.doc
September 15, 2003 1:27 pm
Dear Diary,
This school is a lot different than my last one in the states. For one, these uniforms are rather uncomfortable and force me to wear a skirt year round. I think I have made my first set of friends here in Domino City.
The guy assigned to show me around was really sweet. You'll never guess who my guide is: Mutou Yugi! He happens to be the world champion of Duel Monsters! How awesome is that? He's not at all like I imagined him, but that's probably good. He's very sensitive and tries to keep a low profile, so I act like it's no big deal. It doesn't seem to be to him.
I sit next to Yugi, by the window. He's got some friends in our class that he introduced me too. They all were very nice. One of them, Jonouchi was his name, is also a good duelist. He places highly in most of the duel championships Yugi wins. Jonouchi challenged me to a match, but I haven't accepted or declined yet.
It's rather nice here, I think. Of course I'd rather be in the States with Ma and Pop, but...
Well, class is about to resume, so that's all for now.
Jaa ne.
~S~
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Sumiko pressed the monitor's power button and, after closing the unit as the software shut down slid it back into its place in her bag. With one last beep the light faded and she turned towards her guide. "What subject do we have next, Yugi-san?"
"It's Earth Sciences, the grey book with a mountain graphic on the side. We're on chapter three."
"Thank you." She scanned the contents of her bag then pulled out the proper book and a new notebook. "Man, these Japanese textbooks are a lot smaller than the ones I'm used to."
Those odd, violet eyes looked at her curiously. "American books are bigger?"
"Yes." She opened the book in her hand randomly and pointed. "There are more illustrations and examples to explain the material." With a faint laugh she set it on her desk and flipped to the beginning of the proper chapter. "It took all the challenge out of learning."
Yugi chuckled then looked at her with a grin. "What were you typing earlier?"
Green eyes sparked with a dark, sad emotion as she turned away from the wide-eyed boy. After a moment she spoke. "It's a journal I've kept since my birthday. My laptop was one of my presents from my parents." She smiled faintly. "I'd wanted one for a long time."
The sensitive boy winced. "Gomen nasai."
"Daijoubu da, Yugi-kun. It's alright." She let out a breath and turned a bright smile towards him. "Just have to keep going, you know? I have to move on day by day and count my blessings and all that stuff."
Yugi nodded numbly, unsure of how to respond. Luckily for him their Earth Science teacher bustled in at that moment, enabling him to not say anything and still be polite. Throughout the lesson he watched Sumiko nervously fidget with the two rings she wore on her left hand when not taking notes. She had a simple silver band around her ring finger and a similar gold one around her pinky. There was a tan line at the base of her middle finger too, like she normally wore a third one there.
While part of him was relieved that she had calmed down from the ice princess act from before her new behavior confused him even more. 'I wonder why she didn't wear that third ring?'
"Mutou!"
Startled out of his musings he hopped automatically to his feet. "Hai, sensei?"
"Mutou, I'm just taking roll, you don't have to stand."
Amid snickers from his classmates the blushing young man sat back down.
~....~
[Yugi's voice:] Next time, in chapter two of "The Lonely Child," Sumiko-san accepts Jonouchi-kun's challenge and even accepts a wager on it; if she loses the duel she and Jonouchi will go on a date! But why didn't she remember the challenge, and why did she suddenly lash out at Grandpa? Can we really trust Matsura Sumiko? Tune in next time to see what I mean!
Author's note.
Lately I've been accused of being too wordy, and of using words too big for my target audience to understand. Simply put, and censored, my response is for them to kiss my tushie. My 'target audience' is NOT the immature, and/or young crowd of fans or genki fangirls. I write for mature readers who have the ability to read my 4000-word chapters without thinking it's far too long. In summary: I write for myself, both for my own enjoyment in the process and for my reading style.
While I'm obviously biased, I believe this to be a good story--and given my typical opinion of my work that IS saying something. Perhaps it was good therapy for me to sketch out scenes that smoldered in the darker parts of my mind; maybe I'm just crazy and should be locked up. Either way, I hope you enjoy my story.
Gaijin: Foreign barbarian.
Daijoubu/(Daijoubu da): "It's okay". When used as "Daijoubu ka" it's "are you/it okay?"
Oi: Roughly translated as "Hey you".
Hajimemash'te: "Pleased to meet you" or just "Hello" when you first meet a person.
Sensei: "Teacher". It's often used for manga artists or anyone proficient at something.
Hikari: Literally "light". It's a nickname for Yugi, since Yami is the "darkness".
Pompadour: An odd hairstyle where the hair is combed up to stand high in the front of the head.
Gomen nasai: "Please forgive me".
Hai: Yes.
For those that didn't figure it out, the bold text is Matsura-san playing on her computer. The original idea for this fiction was that it was going to be her diary alone, but that didn't happen. There was just too much going on that she wouldn't know about.
Reviews encourage me to write faster, so please please please review this and my other FF.net posted fanfictions.
See you next chapter!
A Yu-Gi-Oh! Fanfiction Series by Cosmic Jester
Dear Diary Saga
Story One: The Lonely Child
Notice! The previous posting of this was highly censored do to its dark nature. I decided not to give a crap about what the genki fangirls think and write MY story MY way. This story is going to be dark and depressing in many, repeat MANY places, but light and humorous in others.
This story will contain a teacher having lustful and carnal thoughts for a pupil, a young girl going completely insane and trying to commit suicide, and Yami-sama's style of poetic justice from the manga. If these and other dark subject don't appeal to you please return to the Yu-Gi-Oh! directory and move on.
In short, this story is rated R for a reason. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Despite my fondest wishes Yu-Gi-Oh! does not belong to me.
Babbit: *pops out of nowhere above her right shoulder, flapping his purple wings* That's right! If it did, Seto's hair would have stayed green and Jonouchi would wear lots of tight leather.
... Ignore the bat-rabbit-figment-of-my-imagination-type-creature. Ahem. Matsura Sumiko is an original character based on a Japanese foreign echange student. She is NOT a Mary Sue.
Babbit: That's right! If Jester-chan met her idol she wouldn't just brush it off like Sumiko-san. She'd completely freak out and make an idiot of herself!
*fwaps him with a red mallet with a loud *THNK!* sound* Quiet, you. That only happened once. At any rate, only Sumiko and the storyline belong to me. Please read, enjoy, and review it even if you didn't enjoy it.
Chapter One: Stranger
My Computer | My Documents | public | myjournal.doc
September 14, 2003 10:23 pm
Dear Diary,
I just arrived in Japan yesterday. Gram met me at the airport, waving that fan of hers with the blue dragonflies. It was good to see her so happy and healthy... I keep remembering her in the hospital nine months ago, and then during Mom and Pop's wake... Okay, I'm going to stop right there. Sue told me not to dwell on negative thoughts.
Gram and I had a nice talk while driving to her house at the edge of town. It's a nice white house with three bedrooms and a major luxury in any city--a yard. Gramps made a small seiwa-en out of it with high, ivy-covered stone fences. There's a small koi pond, it's a bit algae-filled now, but I'll get it straightened out soon enough.
My babies took the move pretty well. Narcissi, Alexander, and Caesar all have most of their color back in their fins, and none of my hermit crabs have lost any limbs. Most of my stuff is already here in boxes, and the rest is coming day after tomorrow.
I got in to one of the higher-regarded high schools around, and I even tested into my grade level, class B. ^_^
Senko isn't exactly happy about my having to move, but it's not like I had a choice in the matter. Besides, once she really gets to know Gram I'm sure she'll come around.
I think this is a big enough entry for tonight, considering how early I have to get up tomorrow.
Oyasumi nasai.
~S~
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September 14, 2003 10:46 pm
Dear Diary,
I rode in an "airplane" today. It's frickin' unnerving having all that air underneath you. She told me all about how it works, so I wasn't too scared, though I really really really did not want to move. Shit. I'd hardly begun to understand one school and now I have to learn all about another? Fuck that! There's no way in Hell I'm going to be able to be happy here. Until I meet a hot Japanese guy at school, of course. I'd better, or I'll never get outta the house!
I don't want to seem boy-crazy. Fact of the matter is I'm really not. I just want to get out and experience life, preferably on another's dime. Or yen, I suppose. It's better than staring at a computer screen for hours with internet projects and video games, burning my retinas off. I don't see the attraction of sitting around all day doing mindless tasks. ...but then again, her parents did just die. It's doubtful she wants to think about anything.
There's nothing really more for me to talk about now, so I'm gonna go to bed.
Night,
~S~
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With a yawn Sumiko pushed the power button on her lap-top's monitor, eyes the color of golden jade watching as slender fingers carefully closed the unit and moved it aside onto her nightstand. She picked up the novel laying beside her that she had brought to read while on the plane to Japan and nestled the book deep in the back of the drawer, which was shut before the orphan flopped onto her back, gazing up at the ceiling that had enchanted her as a child. It was painted blue with clouds to resemble the sky. The paint faded down the walls until the bottom three feet, which were white with accents to give the illusion one was on a raft in the sky made from a cloud.
It had been one of Grandmother's flights of fancy. Since the sky and clouds fascinated the old woman's only granddaughter that was the theme chosen for the room that would be hers during her summer visits to Japan. She and her husband had painted every last brush stroke themselves.
Yellow-green eyes shimmered with unfallen tears as the teenaged girl reached to touch the wall with her fingertips. She'd memorized every cloud, every ray of light her grandparents had given her. The soft pads of her fingers ran over the familiar swirl patterns. Surrounded by this silent evidence of love she felt safe and comforted; the paint was like an all-encompassing bear hug.
As she drew her hand back and reached for the string on her nightstand's lamp she felt the familiar burning on her forearm and gave a startled gasp. Reflexively she brought the bandage wrapped around her wrist to inspect it for fresh blood. The pain reminded her of the day the wound had been cut. She could still feel her dagger's weight in her right hand, the feel of the blade cutting into her own flesh, and the pain that flooded her senses until the pretty red stream flowing down her arm washed it away and she lay down to die...
After finding no evidence that her self-inflicted injury had reopened she reached out once more, slower, calmly clasped the small, bell-shaped piece of brass dangling at the end of the cord and gave it a single pull.
Now bathed in darkness save the tiny bit of light a streetlight managed to sneak past her blinds' defenses she stood and tugged the bedspread off her bed, catching a dark brown teddy bear before it fell. After turning down the blanket and sheet the raven-haired girl settled her weary, shapely form between them and nestled the fuzzy stuffed animal against her chest. Hugging it tightly as tears slowly began to fall; she closed her eyes and whispered softly to it.
"Goodnight, Harry."
~ % ~
"Have you heard about the new kid coming to class today?"
"Yeah, I heard he killed his parents!"
"No way, they wouldn't let a murderer into Domino High."
Anzu paused in reading her math book, ignoring Honda and Jonouchi behind her who were talking about the latest issue of some girlie mag while Yugi was listening in, blushing and pretending not to hear them as he fussed with his Duel Monster's deck. She didn't approve of gossip since it only served to spread tall tales, but there was usually at least some shred of truth behind each rumor. The three girls huddled around the desk in front of her ignored her, as usual, but that was fine.
It made for better listening.
"My mother said that he just moved here from America." The tallest with hair cut in a boyishly short style was apparently the best informed of the trio.
A disapproving squeal came from her pigtailed friend. "A gaijin?"
"Maybe not," said the third girl with long, bone-straight locks. "My mother told me that he's the grandkid of Matsura Hachibei."
Anzu tuned the girls out; their nasal "cute" voices were beginning to irritate her. 'Matsura Hachibei. He was that inventor that died under suspicious circumstances, wasn't he?' Thoughtful, she rested her chin against her palm, using her arm as a prop against her desk.
"Daijoubu ka, Anzu?"
Shaken out of her reverie by a familiar gentle voice she turned to smile at the boy who was standing beside her. His worried, innocent eyes were almost at the same level as her own, and she was sitting down. "Daijoubu, Yugi." A hand reached out to playfully ruff the teen boy's unnaturally spiky tri-colored hair. His face screwed into an expression so comical she burst into giggles as he squirmed to escape.
"You hear about the new student?"
"Yes, I just did." She discretely glanced at the trio of girls who were still chatting away, speculating on what horrible person they would get as a new classmate to show him how she'd gotten her information.
Yugi rolled his eyes at what reliable sources she had. He grasped the pyramid-shaped puzzle in his hands and there was a pause as the duelist squirmed inwardly, trying to work up his nerve on his own without his 'inner self' helping. "Uh, Anzu? I was wondering..."
"Oi, Yugi!"
Yugi jumped, startled, and then turned to smile up at his two male friends, leaving Anzu wondering what he was talking about. "What's up, Jou?"
The blonde grinned. "Any ideas on what the new kid'll be like?"
Yugi frowned thoughtfully and reached both hands behind his crown of tri-colored hair. "I don't know," he admitted. "I hope they're nice, though. And play Duel Monsters."
The spirit in the puzzle sent a thought to Yugi, which he relayed to the rest of them. 'I agree. We haven't had a new challenger in far too long.'
"Is dueling all you two think about?" Honda shook his head in disbelief.
Amethyst eyes sparkled as Yugi showed his most enthusiastic grin. "Maybe!"
The small group's chuckles were interrupted by their teacher's arrival. "Settle down," Mr. Tanaka declaimed as he set his briefcase on the desk in front. "Please take your seats!"
Class B quieted much faster than normal.
He nodded. "Good, good." He cleared his throat and smiled at his pupils. "As I'm certain you have all heard by now we have a new student today. Due to family circumstances they've come from America to live with their grandmother and have enrolled in our fine school." He gestured to the open door. "Come in now, please."
The entire class leaned in expectantly, not knowing what kind of punk, delinquent or gang-member was going to walk into their classroom, and most of them clearly expected the worst. With baited breath they were silent as quiet footsteps approached, the gossipers squirming nervously. There was a pause as if the student was nerving themself, then stepped in.
Part of her long, silky black hair was pulled away from her lovely face and tied with a cheerful crimson and red bow that set off her unusual gold-green eyes. The length of her hair trailed down her back to her dainty waist. Her uniform was flawlessly pressed and the uniform knee-high baggy socks were tucked into modest loafers. The slender fingers of her right hand clasped a messenger style schoolbag's handle hard enough to turn her knuckles white. There was a bright smile on her lips, though with the nervousness in her eyes it seemed a little forced. She was short, under five and a half feet tall, but had a noble, classic beauty and a regal bearing which added to her presence.
Yami stirred uncomfortably. Something about this girl was curiously but undeniably familiar, which was very unsettling. He had never seen her before, and yet he knew her face, and what her voice would sound like when she spoke. As she bowed deeply at the waist towards the class he blinked, and found himself lounging on a gilded barge as it floated down the Nile, a girl he didn't know to his left, and Kaiba Seto's previous incarnation to his right. To his cousin the Priest's right was that girl, dressed in a fine, gauzy belted dress with a jewel encrusted broad golden collar worn over it and a gold circlet with a falcon design rested on her head, the wings of which came down, hiding her ears from sight when looked at head on. The Priest draped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him, causing her to open her mouth to protest playfully...
"Hajimemash'te. I am Matsura Sumiko."
"Pleased to meet you too," chimed the class in unison, returning her greeting and startling Yami out of his vision or daydream, which he mentally shook off.
'I'm just getting my past memories mixed up,' he told himself, even though it wasn't a very comforting thought.
Tanaka-sensei had yet to take his eyes off her. She was the answer to every last one of his dark fantasies. He imagined how her skin would feel, how she would taste, how her hair would smell; how she would yelp when the crop came down the first time onto her flawless skin with a snap. In his mind he saw her shame as the strikes became a pleasant but painful sensation against her skin. He even imagined her voice crying out in protest even while her body gave in to her desires, and again as he would thrust his member into her virgin body...
He felt his pants tighten as she turned to smile at him. "Sensei, may I take a seat?" She brought her bag in front of herself to clasp with both hands.
Mentally filing his daydream away for later he smiled and nodded in return and looked out over the class. "Hmm, let's see." He saw several spots open, and picked one which would best suit his plans, which happened to be next to a certain boy with tri-colored hair. "Mutou!"
Yugi's eyes widened a little. 'Oh shit.'
'Shh, calm down hikari,' Yami's mind-voice soothed.
Mentally taking a breath Yugi hopped to his feet. "Hai, sensei?"
"Miss Matsura, take the seat beside Mutou there. He'll help you adjust to our school."
Sumiko walked sedately to her assigned seat, knowing that all eyes were riveted to her every movement and doing her best not to let her nervousness show. Yugi smiled as he sat down, recognizing the stage fright from his duels with new Duel Monster duelists.
Reaching her seat she bowed to Yugi, not quite as deep as before, and spoke. "Pleased to meet you, Mutou-san." Her hair fell briefly away from her face, exposing her earrings to his sight--they were simply gold studs with a small ankh dangling from one, and a scarab from the other.
As he returned the bow from his seat Yugi sent a thought to Yami. 'Cool, she's into Egyptian stuff!'
'Or she just thought they were pretty,' added the other Yugi dryly, watching the girl settle into her new desk with a soft sigh of relief as Tanaka began his lesson.
"Psst!"
Sumiko closed her eyes a moment so noone would see her roll them. 'And here we see the male population begin their ritual attempts at getting their asses kicked.' She looked at the one who has tried to grab her attention, a single eyebrow raised in silent question.
"Is it true you killed your parents?"
Shock prevented her rage from forming. Her mouth opened several times but she was unable to form a reply. Luckily, she didn't have to.
"Of course she didn't, now shut up," another male whisper said before continuing more threateningly. "Before I MAKE you shut up."
Sumiko glanced at the one who had stood up for her. He was tall with dark eyes and hair that came up in a spike rather like a pompadour.
"Yeah," added another student, drawing her gaze. He was blue-eyed with a bushy blonde hairdo. "Matsura hasn't done anything to a'ya, so lay off o'her or you'll answer to us." The student turned a roguish grin and a flirtatious wink at Sumiko with a thumbs-up sign.
The orphan blushed faintly but nodded her thanks to her two rescuers with a small smile. 'Hmm,' she thought as she turned back to the teacher, 'the blond is kind of cute, if you like the type. Maybe this place won't be so boring after all.'
All during class notes were passed around silently and furtive glances were directed at the new girl, though the looks from some of the girls were more like glares. She simply ignored it all, including any notes people tried to pass to her. Her focus refused to break, and eventually the notes stopped, save a few comparing her to Kaiba Seto or a glacier.
During the mathematics lesson Yugi watched her ice princess act, nonplussed. Experience with Kaiba had taught him that people's emotions can be denied to the point where they seem like little more than heartless automatons, but their eyes would always give them away. Kaiba's always revealed his love for his younger brother, losing their hard edge and warming slightly.
'Seems to me that she just doesn't want to be overwhelmed in the middle of class,' spoke a small voice within the small boy. 'It's just a defense mechanism.'
Yugi smiled faintly. Yami had decided that Yugi's psych class might benefit his strategies for the various games he plays so had read the book several times with Yugi turning the pages for him. 'Maybe she'll be more likely to talk after class or during lunch.'
Lunchtime found a crowd of students around Sumiko's desk firing off question after question, faster than she could answer. Finally she excused herself, took her purse of its hook, grabbed her bento, and fairly ran out the door. She hurried through the halls and down the steps, ignoring the looks she was earning for this distinctly un-Japanese behavior.
As she pushed open the main door a breathless voice rang out. "Wait! Matsura-san! Wait!"
Recognizing the small boy's voice she paused just long enough for Mutou Yugi to catch up. "Hello, Mutou-san, may I help you?"
He smiled brightly in response. "Call me Yugi. Wanna sit with my friends and me?" He pointed with a finger out towards the benches where his group of friends typically ate.
Following where he was pointing to she saw a girl with short auburn hair sitting with the two boys who had rescued her in the classroom. Her stoic face broke into a smile as the girl grabbed the blonde's ear and shouted something which was muffled and distorted by the other activities going on outside.
As she was turning almost shyly to face him she said "I-if you really don't mind, I think I would like to."
"Of course we don't mind, s'why you got invited, Matsura-san!" He started off towards his friends, calling back over his shoulder. "I'll introduce you to everyone, okay?"
"That's fine," she replied, "as long as you call me Sumiko."
~ % ~
Yugi made the introductions. Sumiko learned the girl was Mazaki Anzu who loved to dance ballet. The tallest guy was a motor sports nut named Honda Hiroto who went by his family name, and the blond was Jonouchi Katsuya who did too.
As she picked up an apple-and-cheese skewer from her bento she looked up at the blond and asked, "What's your forte, Jonouchi-san?"
His chest puffed out importantly. "I'm a Duel Monsters duelist. I even came in second at Duelist Kingdom!"
Anzu rolled her pretty, dark eyes. "And he's been reminding us of that fact ever since." Everyone laughed while Jonouchi glowered at her.
"Yeah, well, Yugi here's the best duelist in the world!"
Yugi looked away from the new student, blushing. "Jou, you're embarrassing me."
Something clicked in Sumiko's head. 'So that's why his name was so familiar. Mutou Yugi is the undisputed world champion.' He seemed like he was trying to keep a low profile, and since she wasn't one to make a fuss about things she simply smiled. Out loud she said, "Well, that's good. I've met two good duelists for me to challenge."
Immediately pairs of deep honey and violet eyes sparked with interest and gazed at her. "You're a duelist?"
As an answer to Yugi's question she tugged her purse onto her lap, opened it, and withdrew a deck of Duel Monster cards from an internal pocket.
Jonouchi grinned. "Whoa, a girl duelist without an obnoxious attitude!"
Yugi sweatdropped. "Mai isn't... uh, well... She's not that bad."
Sumiko laughed along with the others. Though she had no idea who they were talking about she could well imagine the type. The wind chose that moment to pick up and the sun streaming through the tree leaves fell onto the swaying Puzzle hanging in front of Yugi's abdomen, catching on the stylized eye carved onto the front and drawing the new girl's gaze. 'That pendant has the same symbol as...'
Jonouchi interrupted her thoughts with his biggest, best grin. "So how about it, Sumiko? Want to duel?"
"Er, right now?" She looked at him uncertainly.
"Sure, why not?" His eyes sparkled. "Or do you want to use duel disks?"
She looked down at her deck. 'I don't want to frighten off the few friends I've made,' she thought to herself miserably. As she opened her mouth to decline politely the bell rang, interrupting her. She looked back up with a smile. "Er, why don't we talk about this later? Maybe after school, when we will have more time?"
Anzu brightened. "How about we all go to Burger World after school? That way we can get to know each other better and not feel rushed." 'And I won't be late for my shift,' she added silently, knowing her friends would understand her reason for suggesting her workplace.
"Sounds good to me," Honda said with a grin.
"Wahoo!" Yugi whooped as he made a little hop and waved his hands. "Burgers!"
Jonouchi playfully got the smaller boy in a headlock. "Calm down, Yuge, s'just burgers."
"Yeah, but they're especially yummy at Burger World!"
Sumiko giggled as she watched the boys' playful struggle until Yugi wriggled himself free. The entire group continued to chat about the food at Burger World as they packed up and headed back up to class. As they settled into their respective seats she placed her bag back on its hook and tucked her bento into her desk then opened her bag. Pulling out her laptop she flipped the power switch, opened it, and set it on her desk, waiting for her desktop to load.
A glance at the clock let her know she didn't have much time to write.
My Computer | My Documents | public | myjournal.doc
September 15, 2003 1:27 pm
Dear Diary,
This school is a lot different than my last one in the states. For one, these uniforms are rather uncomfortable and force me to wear a skirt year round. I think I have made my first set of friends here in Domino City.
The guy assigned to show me around was really sweet. You'll never guess who my guide is: Mutou Yugi! He happens to be the world champion of Duel Monsters! How awesome is that? He's not at all like I imagined him, but that's probably good. He's very sensitive and tries to keep a low profile, so I act like it's no big deal. It doesn't seem to be to him.
I sit next to Yugi, by the window. He's got some friends in our class that he introduced me too. They all were very nice. One of them, Jonouchi was his name, is also a good duelist. He places highly in most of the duel championships Yugi wins. Jonouchi challenged me to a match, but I haven't accepted or declined yet.
It's rather nice here, I think. Of course I'd rather be in the States with Ma and Pop, but...
Well, class is about to resume, so that's all for now.
Jaa ne.
~S~
File | Save
File | Exit
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Sumiko pressed the monitor's power button and, after closing the unit as the software shut down slid it back into its place in her bag. With one last beep the light faded and she turned towards her guide. "What subject do we have next, Yugi-san?"
"It's Earth Sciences, the grey book with a mountain graphic on the side. We're on chapter three."
"Thank you." She scanned the contents of her bag then pulled out the proper book and a new notebook. "Man, these Japanese textbooks are a lot smaller than the ones I'm used to."
Those odd, violet eyes looked at her curiously. "American books are bigger?"
"Yes." She opened the book in her hand randomly and pointed. "There are more illustrations and examples to explain the material." With a faint laugh she set it on her desk and flipped to the beginning of the proper chapter. "It took all the challenge out of learning."
Yugi chuckled then looked at her with a grin. "What were you typing earlier?"
Green eyes sparked with a dark, sad emotion as she turned away from the wide-eyed boy. After a moment she spoke. "It's a journal I've kept since my birthday. My laptop was one of my presents from my parents." She smiled faintly. "I'd wanted one for a long time."
The sensitive boy winced. "Gomen nasai."
"Daijoubu da, Yugi-kun. It's alright." She let out a breath and turned a bright smile towards him. "Just have to keep going, you know? I have to move on day by day and count my blessings and all that stuff."
Yugi nodded numbly, unsure of how to respond. Luckily for him their Earth Science teacher bustled in at that moment, enabling him to not say anything and still be polite. Throughout the lesson he watched Sumiko nervously fidget with the two rings she wore on her left hand when not taking notes. She had a simple silver band around her ring finger and a similar gold one around her pinky. There was a tan line at the base of her middle finger too, like she normally wore a third one there.
While part of him was relieved that she had calmed down from the ice princess act from before her new behavior confused him even more. 'I wonder why she didn't wear that third ring?'
"Mutou!"
Startled out of his musings he hopped automatically to his feet. "Hai, sensei?"
"Mutou, I'm just taking roll, you don't have to stand."
Amid snickers from his classmates the blushing young man sat back down.
~....~
[Yugi's voice:] Next time, in chapter two of "The Lonely Child," Sumiko-san accepts Jonouchi-kun's challenge and even accepts a wager on it; if she loses the duel she and Jonouchi will go on a date! But why didn't she remember the challenge, and why did she suddenly lash out at Grandpa? Can we really trust Matsura Sumiko? Tune in next time to see what I mean!
Author's note.
Lately I've been accused of being too wordy, and of using words too big for my target audience to understand. Simply put, and censored, my response is for them to kiss my tushie. My 'target audience' is NOT the immature, and/or young crowd of fans or genki fangirls. I write for mature readers who have the ability to read my 4000-word chapters without thinking it's far too long. In summary: I write for myself, both for my own enjoyment in the process and for my reading style.
While I'm obviously biased, I believe this to be a good story--and given my typical opinion of my work that IS saying something. Perhaps it was good therapy for me to sketch out scenes that smoldered in the darker parts of my mind; maybe I'm just crazy and should be locked up. Either way, I hope you enjoy my story.
Gaijin: Foreign barbarian.
Daijoubu/(Daijoubu da): "It's okay". When used as "Daijoubu ka" it's "are you/it okay?"
Oi: Roughly translated as "Hey you".
Hajimemash'te: "Pleased to meet you" or just "Hello" when you first meet a person.
Sensei: "Teacher". It's often used for manga artists or anyone proficient at something.
Hikari: Literally "light". It's a nickname for Yugi, since Yami is the "darkness".
Pompadour: An odd hairstyle where the hair is combed up to stand high in the front of the head.
Gomen nasai: "Please forgive me".
Hai: Yes.
For those that didn't figure it out, the bold text is Matsura-san playing on her computer. The original idea for this fiction was that it was going to be her diary alone, but that didn't happen. There was just too much going on that she wouldn't know about.
Reviews encourage me to write faster, so please please please review this and my other FF.net posted fanfictions.
See you next chapter!