Disclaimer: Do I own Yugioh? No.

Forsaken.

Chapter 2. Dry Tears of a Crying Heart.

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She lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. Not a tear was shed throughout it all, she had long since grown use to the abuse. It had taken a long time for that to happen, and she had spent countless nights crying herself to sleep.

Not anymore.

Now she just let it happen, and waited for him to finish. That's how she was now, she took things as they were presented, wether it was good or bad. Her hate, her rage saw her through it all. But still, her heart ached, begging to scream out at the torment she lived in. She feared no hell, she was all ready living in it.

The devil, Satan, was her father. That was her life since her mother had died. She cried then too, and every night since until she grew strong enough to take the pain. It still hurt. She still wanted to scream, to have someone help her. But this was her torment, her pain, and it was her hate.

She lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. Someday.....she would kill that fucker. But until then.... She glanced at the clock beside her. It was One in the morning, thank goodness it was Saturday, well, Sunday now.

She crept out of bed and moved to her window. Once she got it open, she slipped outside. She crept slowly away from the house after closing the window again. Sticking to the shadows, she made her way down street after street, towards her secret spot. Lyrad should have left the money there, hopefully it was enough.

She hadn't asked her father for permission to go to the tournament, he'd have forbidden it. He didn't even know she played Dueling Monsters. He'd have shredded all her cards. He wanted her completely, for her to have no real life other than him. It was only because of the law that she was even allowed to go to school.

Finally, she reached her spot. It was nothing out of the ordinary, just a wall. A brick wall with a brick that came out. Looking around to make sure no one else was around, she quickly pulled the brick out, revealing her hiding place for her most valued treasures. Telling Lyrad about this spot was the most trust she had ever given him. This secret she knew not even he'd betray.

He knew she'd kill him if he did.

Inside was her deck, Forsaken Rage, a bundle of money, a tin can that held her extra cards, and a note. Taking the note out, she held it in front of her, grateful for the full moon. It was from Lyard.

Hey, Shan! If I know you, you snuck out and you're checking the money. Well, I have good news. That last bunch of cans set you over the top! Congrats girl, you're going to the tournament! I've been saving money as well to get a seat, so look for me in the crowd, I'll be cheering for you!
Lyrad.

She looked back at the bundle of money and took it out. Carefully, she counted ever bill, doing the math in her head. He was right, she had enough now, and a bit more. Smiling, she put everything back in her hiding spot except for the note, that she threw away in a garbage. Standing, she started heading back to her personal hell..... home.

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"I'll flip over my Man-eater Bug, destroying your face-down card, and sac it for Mefist," Shan said, as the boy put his card in the graveyard.

"So what? Mefist the Infernal General is nothing to my Jinzo! You'd have been better off destroying him!"

"I think not. Next, I'll Book of Moon Jinzo, then activate Acid Trap Hole, destroying him."

The boy stared at the combo, then cursed as he put his last line of defense in the graveyard, "I still have 3000 life points left, you can't kill me yet!"

"Wrong again," she flipped her three remaining trap cards over, causing the boy to curse again. "Three Blast with Chains say I've got an attack power of 3300, you're burned." She gathered up her cards. This was even worse than child's play. This was just too easy. How was she going to get warmed up for the tournament with nothing but small fry. "Anyone else want to fry?"

No one took the challenge. She sighed and was just about to get up and leave when someone sat down. "I'll fry," came a familiar voice.

"Lyrad?"

He took a deck of cards out of his pocket and began shuffling them, "Heya. Glad to see you too!"

"I didn't know you played."

"Doesn't everyone?"

Reishanit shrugged, shuffling her own deck, "You're funeral pyre."

"You're just so encouraging!" He put his deck down even as she did the same. Picking up her deck, he cut it in half, then returned it to her, taking his own cut deck back. "Heads or tails?"

She watched as he pulled out a coin and flipped it, "Heads."

Tails.

She drew her five cards, and smiled.

Three minutes later, Lyrad looked at her with a pained expression. "What was that? A new record?"

"There there now, at least you hit my life points..... once."

Lyrad stared at her, "Did you just say something semi-nice?"

"No, and if you tell anyone-"She gave him a look.

"You're/I'm burned" he replied at the same time she finished, earning him another glare. "I couldn't resist, sorry."

"You're not forgiven." Stretching, she got out of her chair, "I'm outta here. There's no competition, so there's no need for me to stay."

"Pleasant as ever, Shan, pleasant as ever."

"Shut up."

"Do I ever?"

"No."

Lyrad grinned as he followed her out the door, "Then why to you keep saying it?"

"Because I want you to shut up."

"So....when's the tournament?"

"In a few days, all the paperwork's done and everything, I'm in."

"Sweet! I'll be cheerin' for ya'!"

"Great, I've got my own one member fan-club!" She continued walking for a few seconds when she realized Lyrad had fallen behind. Turning around, she looked to see what had happened. He stood there staring at her in wonder, mouth hanging open. "What?" "You.... you just said a JOKE!"

"Oh shut up!"

"Do I ever?"