A/N: Dang! This story is getting harder to write ;.; I should start jotting down plot ideas I come by.. Midterms are coming up too... dumbed.. Now I'll have to spend time studying x.x It's not going to be fun... Normally I wouldn't study much (but I can still manage to pass with flying colors XD), but this year I need a GREAT mark if I want to get into a good highschool ^___^
Enough about my problems. Let's get to some information about this chapter.
1) Thank you all for the reviews!
2) This chapter will contain mostly information concerning the Setsuzoku-Tama Gem [refer back to chapter 6] And how the Yugioh crew will acquire it.
3) Ryou's really gone crazy this time o.o; or in the doctor's perspective.
4) Ah... Bakura's still having trouble with his Dark.. how touching XD
5) Well.. before I give EVERYTHING away (which I mostly have), I'll let you go on to read...
6) Enjoy! ^_^
Disclaimer: don't think it's really necessary... T.T It hurts too much to say/type it...
Watashi no Tenshi Sukuinushi
(My Angel Savior)
Chapter 9: Problem After Problem
By: Nadako-Mika
Dusk was approaching as Malik and his yami walked slowly back to their home. It had been a long day. It had taken half the day just to convince Kaiba to write them a slip. Now that they actually HAD the permission to visit Ryou, visiting hours were over. Well... maybe tomorrow.
The two slightly psychotic teens passed Ryou's house. Malik looked at the building with sorrow, imagining how empty it must be in there. He wondered if Ryou had a pet. A dog, or maybe a cat, maybe even budgies. Well if he did, they would starve for a bit. Cruel, yes, but true.
Malik stopped walking as he saw a familiar car in the driveway. He was quite sure it belonged to Ryou's father. He had been over once, when Ryou's father had decided to pay one of those rare visits of his. Something creeped up into his thoughts...
His father didn't know.
"Malik? What's wrong?" Mariku asked. He was a few steps ahead of the boy, having only just noticed Malik's lack of movement.
"Ryou's father. He's back already, and I doubt he knows about Ryou's 'disappearance'," Malik turned to his yami, "What are we going to do?"
"We? What do you mean we?"
Malik twitched a brow. "I mean WE as in US TWO!"
"Why do we-"
"Because Ryou is our friend!" Malik almost screamed, "And if he isn't YOUR friend, at least think about Bakura."
Mariku growled. "Well what do you expect to do? Go up to him and say? 'Oh hi! I just wanted to drop by and tell you that your only son was sent to the loony bin by his abusive Yami. Well, have a nice day!' ?" he shook his head, "I could imagine his face now..."
The sound of a door opening was heard. Malik and Mariku turned to see Ryou's father walk out of the house. Saddness had been etched into his face. The two blond Egyptians quickly ducked behind a bush. They didn't quite feel like explaining to the man that his son was sent to an insane asylum. They both waited until the man had gotten in the car and had driven off, before hopping back onto the pavement and quickly sprinting back to the Kame Game shop.
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The door chime rang loudly as the door was whipped open. Yami and Yuugi spun around at the sound. Leaning against the wall was Malik and his yami, both panting out of breath.
Yami looked at them in confusiong. "Malik? Wha-"
"Ryou's father's home," the blond said quickly, still gasping for breath. "And... and he doesn't know that Ryou's gone."
"He looked pretty distressed when he came out," Mariku added.
"Yami, what are we going to do?" Yuugi asked.
The gears in Yami's head were churning and grinding. He was thinking critically. What would the man say once he found out his only son was sent to an unfit hospital? "I uh.. we should.. that is.." Yami was stammering, he had no idea of what should be done.
The door chime rang again, this time not as aggressively. In stepped a man who appeared to be in his forties. He wore a grim face, his eyes showing deep concern. Yami didn't need a name, he already knew who the man was.
"Are you friends of Bakura, Ryou?" he asked quietly, although panick could be detected deep within his voice.
Everyone in the room nodded.
"Do you.. by any chance, know where he is?"
Everyone tensed. What were they going to tell him? The man seemed to sense the tension and looked at each one suspiciously. Yami shifted his eyes around the room, trying to avoid the man's stare.
"Do you?" he asked again.
Yami seemed to tense up even more. Ryou's father was staring directly at him. "I uh..."
"Ryou's at Jounouchi-kun's," Yuugi said suddenly, a cute and convincing smile plastered on his face. "I'm sorry about my brother. He hasn't gotten much sleep lately, and I think the caffiene is getting to him."
The man only nodded. Yuugi felt Yami relax slightly beside him.
"Jounouchi-kun. Right. Do you have his number? I'd like to check up on my son." the man said.
Again, Yami's body tensed. Yuugi could tell he didn't like this situation one bit. The boy quickly grabbed a memo pad and jotted down his friends number. He handed it to the man. "I don't think they're home right now. They said they would be going to the arcade or something with our other friends. Maybe try calling in a few hours?" Yuugi gave another large, childish grin.
"Alright. Thank you very much. I was really worried," the man said, "It's not like Ryou to just run off like that. He could have left a note or gave me a call."
"I think he got rather lonely all by himself," Yuugi lied, "He asked us earlier if he could stay for a few days. Unfortunately we didn't have anymore room."
The concern in the man's eyes seemed to lift a bit. "I'm glad you told me. Well, I'll have to leave town soon, probably before Ryou gets back. So can I ask you a favor?"
"Sure thing!" Yuugi answered, still smiling brightly.
"I need you to give this to Ryou," he pulled something out of his pocket. "It's a rare stone. I found while on a dig. I thought he might like it." He handed it over to Yuugi before sighing, "It's just not like him to leave without notice. He could have at least left a note, or called me."
Yami's eyes widened as he saw the beautifully glimmering, ruby gem. "The Setsuzoku-Tama.." he said.
"Yup. It's said that it holds mystic powers. Unfortunately, it seems that it's been broken. But I'm sure it would make a great gift." the man turned to leave, "I should get going. My plane leaves in a few hours. Thank you all."
All four teens let out a relieved sigh as Ryou's father left the shop. This saving Ryou business was getting quite difficult.
Yami turned around to find Yuugi dialing a number on the phone. "Yuugi, who are you calling?"
"Jounouchi," he replied. Before Yami could ask why, the person on the other end picked up.
"Hello?"
"Jou-san?"
"Is this Yuugi?"
"Yes. I have a favor to ask of you," the boy shot a look at his Yami, "Ryou's father's going to be calling in an hour or so. We told him that Ryou was at your place. Do you think you could answer for him?"
"I don't understand.. Why would Ryou's father phone ME?"
"It has to do with Ryou. He's uh... somewhere else..- I'll fill you in later," Yuugi said quickly, before Jounouchi could ask another question, "Can you please just make something up? Like.. say Ryou's in the bathroom or something. Please?"
"I don't know what's going on... But sure. You better be ready to explain it all later."
"Sure thing!" Yuugi erupted into another grin, "Thanks a lot."
"No problem."
Yuugi hung up and turned to everyone else in the room. "Well," he started, "That's settled. Jou will pretend Ryou's over at his place." He looked up at his yami, and handed the stone the man had given him over. "Is this the other half of the gem?" he asked.
Yami dug out one half of the Setsuzoku-Tama and held it next to the one the man had given them. He brought them next to each other. "Hm... I'm pretty sure it is.. Yes, I'm positive. This has to be it!" Yami said, now grinning happily. Maybe there was a way to get to Ryou afterall.
"It's great that you found the other half, Pharaoh," Mariku spoke up, "But what do you plan to do with it?"
Yami's smile immediately faded. He hadn't thought about that.
Mariku continued, "Even if we did give a half to Ryou, how would we give the other half to the Tomb Robber? Last time I checked, he was trapped in his item."
"Can't you go into the item yourself?" Yuugi asked his yami.
"Huh?"
"You said before that you were able to enter other items.. Much like Shadi," Yuugi said, "Couldn't you give one half of the gem to Ryou. Then enter the Ring and give it to Bakura while you're in there?"
Yami thought of it as a possibility.. it was very possible. The Sennen Puzzle did grant him the ability to enter one's soul room. Yuugi was on to something...
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"How is he?"
"Not well. He's still mumbling and ranting. His temperature has dropped too."
"His temperature dropped? What? How.."
"We don't know. It's below average now. It's like he caught onto hypothermia. There's no source of it."
Kihatensu sighed nervously. He had no idea what was happening to his nephew. After that one session, Ryou just seemed to snap. He didn't think it was a wise choice to have brought up the boy's past. Kihatensu walked into the boy's room, only to see the white haired teen curled up in a tight ball in the corner of the room.
Ryou's skin was unusually pale. Sure, his skin was pale to start with, but it now seemed to glow white. His hair was damp with cold sweat, covering his dull chocolate eyes. Ryou's normally healthy looking lips were replaced by a cold and deathly blue color. He shook and withered, shivering at the immaginary cold.
The doctor closed his eyes. It was such a painful sight, seeing your blood relative in such a state. What made it worse was the fact that there was no diagnose for such symptons. No one's ever seen such conditions.
"Ryou?" he called softly.
Ever since that last session, Ryou had withdrawn from the world. He just sat there, soaked with perspiration, shaking. Occasionally he would mumble unintelligent words; never full sentences, just phrases. Perhaps an inner struggle for peace within one's self? A harmful battle between the mind and soul? Kihatensu didn't know, and that very thought was killing him.
'What's happened to you?...'
"Doctor Kihatensu," one of the nurses called in, "There are some visitors here for Bakura."
"Send them away. He's not to be bothered."
"But they say it's urgent. They won't leave unless they see him. They're even threatening the staff members."
A sigh. Kihatensu rubbed his forehead in agitation, he was beginning to stress. "Very well," he said, "I'll be there in a second." The man took one last look at the traumatized boy, before heading out to the lobby.
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"Sir! Please! Sit down!" the secretary screamed. Infront of her was an uncontrollable teen, who reminded her of a five year old having a fit.
"NO! I will NOT sit down! We DEMAND to see Ryou!"
She shook her head and sighed. 'Such a temper...' She'd need to take a handful of painkillers later on. The headache was killing her.
Mariku raged on. He slammed his fist down onto the desk, startling other visitors and patients in the lobby. Isis and Malik were by his side, trying to pull the struggling yami out of the building. He was making such a fuss.
"Yami.. Please!" Malik whined, trying to pull Mariku away from the frightened secretary.
"Please what? Do you know how much trouble we've gone through just to get permission to visit Ryou? And now you tell us that NO ONE can? Do you know who wrote that stupid note?! Kaiba! That's right! KAIBA! You know, the big head of the building. Mister Ego? Wait until he hears about this!"
"Mariku! Shut up!"
"No! You shut up, Malik!"
"What's the problem here?" Kihatensu asked, irritation lining his voice.
"This freaking building won't let us see our friend!" Mariku screamed, his choice of words earned him a good smack on the head by Isis.
Yuugi stepped up to the plate. He looked up at the doctor and smiled brightly. "I'm sorry about our friend. He has a temper. If it isn't too much to ask, could we possibly see Ryou Bakura? We're really worried about him," he asked politely.
Kihatensu shook his head. "I'm really sorry, but he's in a critical state-"
"How critical?" Yami interupted. "Is he going to be okay?"
"Don't worry. It's not life threatening." 'At least.. I hope it isn't.'
"Then may we please pay him a visit? It won't take long. Five minute will do it. We just want to see him," Yami said.
'Such loving friends.' the doctor thought. 'It would be hard on them if they see Ryou the way he is.. but then again.. These people are determined, they probably wouldn't leave until they DO see Ryou.'
The group of friends looked at the man questioningly. Is he? Or is he NOT going to let them in?
"Alright. But you have to make it quick. He has an examination coming up."
Everyone broke into a relieved and grateful smile. Mariku calmed down, somewhat. "Thank you sir," Yami said before being led off in the direction of Ryou's room.
One task accomplished... Ryou would soon be in hold of one half of the rare gem. They just hoped reaching Bakura would be an easier task.
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"Let's see if I get this right.. You are my darker thought. You control every evil aspect of me; my evil characteristics, and my actions."
"You've got it so far."
"And then my 'lighter' thought is what is controlling me right now. It's shy, and quiet, and just simply pure. Much like a hikari."
"Yup."
"Then why the hell is it in ME? And if It's controlling my actions now, why do I have this urge to beat you into a bloody pulp?"
This split personality thing was really getting to Bakura. He was quite content with understanding the Yami and Hikari concept. But bringing in the new concept of Yamis having THEIR OWN 'Yami and Hikari' was just mind boggling. 'Does that mean Ryou has a hikari inside him? Does that mean I have my own Yami?...and a Hikari?'
The other Bakura at the other end of the soul room slapped his head. "No... I'm not you're Yami."
Bakura glared at his Dark, "Well then.. What the Hell are you?"
"You," it replied simply. The Dark smirked as it felt Bakura's frustration build.
"Have you always been with me?" the Tomb Robber asked. He was now looking at his reflection in a hand mirror. It puzzled him. He wondered how an evil being, such as himself, could be 'possessed' by a lighter conscience. Apparently it was possible, because staring right back at him was a calm and serene version of his face.
"Ever since you were to be," it answered casually.
"So does that mean Ryou has a hikari inside him?" Such a pointless question...
"I don't catch ya."
"Does Ryou have a lighter side like me?"
"Nope."
"Then why do I have one?!" Bakura was becoming irritated with this 'Dark's presence.
"Do I look like God to you?" this time, it was the demon's turn to become agitated, "I didn't create this system you know. If I had a say in you're conscience structure, I'd have left you to rot!"
Bakura only huffed and turned away. What a fun day he was having.. "Damn Pharaoh better get here soon.. Or I swear I'll rip him to shreds." he muttered.
The Dark broke into a fit of laughter. "Would there be anything you could do to him?"
"Shut up." Bakura sneered.
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A/N: AAAAHHHH! I finally finished this chapter! ;____; It's so hard.. I'm so busy.. I"M SO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING! SERIOUSLY I AM!!!! I've just been so busy the past month.
Mika: *cough* Lazy's more like it...
*smacks Mika* Shush you! Anyways. I'm trying my best now to get caught up with my stories. Ah.. I'm sorry if you didn't think this chapter was long... =_= I would have added more, but that would have taken more time, and you would have chopped my head off and fed it to the camels O_O.
Good news.. My exams are over *throws confetti* Bad news(es): I will soon be loaded with homework again (=_= yes.. the torture never stops); I've become a deviantART addict (so I'll probably replace writing time with drawing time o.o;); AND.. I've finished a ficart for this story XD.
okay.. so the ficart isn't really bad news.. You want to see it? Go to:
http://www.geocities.com/nako_ko_chan/fanart/watashi_sketch.html (without the spaces)
Unfortunately, it's not colored... XD
Thanks for all your reviews! They're really appreciated! Now.. I'm going to just list off the reviewers, so you can avoid having to scroll a long ways down to either find your response or to review. ^_^
Thanks to: s.h.i.r.o.i.k.e.t.s.u.e.k.i , Evil Chibi Malik , koosei , person6 , Psycho-Sick Orange Juice , Sugar Goose , VampssAmby10210 , Mina-chan AMD , sdrive , Ciue Sune , Windswift , fatlazikat (100th reviewer!!!), Johanna Gen , Mooncinder , Elle-FaTe2x1 , Crimson-Eyed-Angel99 , Smoocher of Evil