No Yugi-oh owning…
Platerair Queen requested more of Ryou and well… boy did she ever get her wish. A chapter all for and of Ryou.
Chapter Six: The Capture Of Ryou
Ryou stirred then filled with pain he opened one eye before his vision blurred and he fell backwards once again…
Ryou stood in a clearing, a very large clearing actually. Was it his imagination or were the forests surrounding him fading into the horizon. A plain then, Ryou stood in a plain. It was still dark and eerie out and stocks of plants- hay, surrounded him. They reached up to his waist. Suddenly birds took off in the distance, they flew overhead in a wave of panic. A rustling sound was heard behind and Ryou swivelled around on the spot only to see nothing… but the hay was moving, moving as if a person was there. Startled Ryou began to run, he ran and he ran, the hay field slowing him down, but he RAN! Then, all too soon something had dived at him and he started to fall, rolling and stumbling down a long steep hill with somebody on top trying to gain control over him.
They fell, and fell, Ryou constantly battling for control, and never achieving it. Then he was surrounded by water, thick oozing water and his captor was gone. He tried, he really did to swim to the surface but the water was just too thick. A loud laugh echoed through his ears and for one moment Ryou swore he had seen his Other. Gasping for breath Ryou kicked furiously but he just couldn't reach the surface; subsequently he realized he wasn't swimming in water but was swimming in blood!
Ryou stopped struggling and floated constantly upwards, eyes, mouth and nose closed tight. When he finally surfaced he started to gasp for air. He struggled, as if something was pulling him down, to stay afloat. Nothing but the blood surrounded him. He swam to shore where the dark laughing figure awaited. But he couldn't pull himself out of the blood. The laughing shadow moved forward and grasped the struggling Ryou's arm and pulled. Ryou laid on the ground, gasping choking. He started to spit up blood that wasn't his own. His breath was caught and shakily Ryou stood. The blood dripped everywhere from him, his hair was stained red, not pink, not red-tinted but red. The gooping liquid wouldn't come free. Pitifully Ryou looked at the one who helped him out of the blood. His Other stared down at him, examining him, then gave off a smile that was easily a smirk… or was it a grin?
Ryou fell backwards and to his surprise his Other reached out a hand to grab his wrist, but because of the blood Ryou slipped and continued to fall. His Other's stood there, shocked with one bloodied hand grasping naught but air. Ryou hit the ground….
"Ah, so you've awakened?" Ryou fell back, his head banging down as he lost consciousness once more. "Hmm, maybe you're not as awake as I had previously thought?"
A dark shadowlike figure leaned over the unconscious boy, a hand much like that of a human trailed over his forehead, coming back wet and sticky and hot. Sighing the indiscernible figure shook what appeared to be a head before sighing and placing a cool wet cloth where the hand had previously been before leaving the boy alone to his nightmares. Within minutes the figure returned, leaves, herbs and roots stored in the dark robe, bristly the figure grabbed a wooden bowl and wooden spool and crunched everything together, lastly the shadow in the dark added something that mysteriously looked like blood from a vial. Once totally stirred the form moved once more to the side of the boy's bed- it's bed, and raising the white haired-well, pink tinted haired boy's head up she poured the liquid down his throat, using its other hand to hold his nostrils close. For a few seconds nothing happened, then the boy suddenly jolted forward, coughing and spitting half of the stuff back out- the extract that was, apparently, not necessary. Softly rubbing circles on Ryou's back the form also held him up so as he wouldn't fall back down.
Ryou was unsure as to what was happening, simply that he HAD to get that stuff out of his mouth. It took him a few minutes to realize he wasn't alone. Now, understanding that so far Ryou's existence since the 'doomsday' event has been nothing but horrid and lonely, painful, and very hungry his reaction was perfectly normal.
"Ah!"
With a startled yelp Ryou pushed the dark figure away from him and bolted for the door, making his grand escape. Well, that was his plan. What happened was after pushing the dark figure away Ryou bolted off the bed and fell to the floor, realizing far too late that his legs didn't seem able to hold his weight. With a pain filled yet still oddly sleepy groan the teen looked longingly at the door, only to have his brief view of freedom blocked as the dark one stepped in front of him. Looking up Ryou could see nought but the outline of someone. Then he heard it, a sound that made him freeze; a sound that made him feel absolutely and totally ridiculous. He heard a soft giggle.
"You are a silly being. Human?"
Ryou, who was feeling rather embarrassed up until those words had to stop and ponder the shadowlike yet obviously female figure. Her words held a question to it, was she asking if he was silly? And why address him as human… unless she wasn't. Ryou opened his mouth, the taste of what he was previously coughing up still fresh in his mouth, said, "turn- turn on a li-ight- please."
"In a second. Human?"
Confused once more Ryou said nothing. He was startled though when she had grabbed his arm and pulled him back to the bed. After a few seconds of her fumbling away he heard her exclaim, "Ah, I knew I had one!", and she lighted and held up an old oil lamp object, casting enough light in the room for Ryou to see the obviously human girl- not appearing to be older then him.
"Well," she said almost exasperently, "human?"
"I- I fear I do not know- what exactly are you asking again?" Ryou still couldn't make sense of the strange girl before him. Her hair appeared to be purple, but that couldn't be right… could it? She had a tattered brown feather in her hair on the left of her perfectly 'human' head, minus the bead sticking from her forehead, ink swirls surrounding it. She wore a single long dark robe- black or an extremely deep blue with patterns of a nice light blue around the collar which emphasized something that very much looked like a yellowed eyeball… blue eye colour. Hoping he was wrong in that assumption Ryou pulled his attention back to his rescuer. "Hmmm, what? I am sorry but I missed what you said."
"I said, are you a human?"
Ryou looked at her oddly, her arm that held up the light was also human, she IS human, what kind of- "Yes, yes of course I am."
"Ah ha! I thought so. I mean, I was told by another that there were humans walking about- of course they never said anything about them falling from the skies- or mountain, you fell from the slope right. Oh well, doesn't matter. I cannot believe I just saved a human. …Oh my. I just saved a human…"
"Errrr…."
"I should not have done that, what will happen now. No-no it does not matter. I'm just glad I was able to help." The purple haired girl smiled, her thoughts obviously in order now.
"Err- I don't mean to be rude but… who and what are you?" Ryou was looking at the girl half in fascination, the other as if she was a crazy time bomb about to explode.
"I am the Black Forest Witch. You fell in my domain." The girls voice was once again serious, holding only a small note of worry. "You should be more careful. For a mortal of the previous world you should be on guard at all times. They will be looking for you, a human, really? Wow. But be warned, young mortal, you are not safe alone. Find a monster willing to protect you. Surely there must be one."
"Young? Mortal? I fear I do not understand… err, Black Forest Witch. Does that mean that you are a witch? And what danger am I in, monsters, more of them! …My head hurts, I'm feeling a bit dizzy…" Ryou trailed off, his thoughts scattering in his mind as he spoke.
The Black Forest Witch made Ryou lean back, head resting on something soft. "I am a witch indeed. I guard this part of the Black Forest, my domain. I protect the forest and its inhabitants. Since I found you on my property I took you in. As for age I am still young, my learning's yet incomplete, but a witch I am and therefore I want you to drink this, it will help." Seeing the question in Ryou's eyes as he unsurely sipped on the odd concoction the witch had given him replied, "Only one hundred and thirteen." Ryou accidentally spat what he was swallowing out in surprise, then fell back into a deep sleep, the young witch having just enough time to grab the quarter empty cup from the now loose grip before it spilled all over Ryou or the bed.
Placing the contents on a shelf the young witch of the Black Forest looked questioningly at Ryou, as if for the first time seeing him, him, there. This was no mere mortal, no; there WAS something special about this one. Something that she could not place. The young girl sighed in exasperation.
Ryou was asleep throughout the whole of the night; meanwhile the witch was extremely busy. The Black Forest Witch spent the whole of that time fixing Ryou's many open wounds, unwrapping them carefully, putting her home brewed salve on and then re-bandaging them back up. Quite a few places needed stitches but no stitches were needed with a witch around. Once she was done Ryou had bandages wrapped about his chest; the wrapping extending over his left shoulder to make it more secure. His lower right arm was wholly wrapped as well as his left foot and knee. Apparently he landed on his left then his arm smacked into the ground. Also, he had been bleeding in many spots from his head, a gash on the back, a wrapping was extended to hold in all the blood, wrapping around his forehead like a tied up bandana. He would undoubtedly have trouble walking for a little while, especially on his left leg that was extremely lucky that it hadn't broke, although extremely close.
Soon, exhausted for her efforts the young purple haired teenage witch fell into a chair and a deep sleep.
But unfortunately it only lasted a couple of hours as pounding was soon heard on her door, waking her peaceful slumber. Yawning she asked, "Who- is it!"
The pounding stopped and a deadly voice rose to her ears, haunting them. "I am the Unknown Warrior Of Fiend."
Gasping silently the young witch looked to her right, Ryou was awake and staring at her questionably, without hesitation she whispered hurriedly to him, "the window- quick!" Ryou glanced behind him and made as if to go there but she held out her hand to him, stopping him. "What is it you desire of me?" Her voice was sweet, yet gave a strict tone of uncaring and no worries. She swiftly made it to Ryou's side and helped him to his feet, aiding him to the window and as silent as possible helped him out, gave him a bag full of food and told him hurriedly not to return here or mention her help, to get away not fast, for he cannot, but silently, meanwhile she was holding a conversation with the Fiend.
"We have been on the hunt and it appears that you hold the game we seek."
"Game, but I am a poor hunter."
"Do not fool with us. We have word that a visionist is in there with you! That you dare betray us!" The Fiend used the long twisted and pointed talon that extended from his forearm and sliced through the door, once, twice, three times, four. The door was naught but large splinters.
There, The Black Witch Of The Forest Stood, hands folded neatly in front of her, looking up at the intruder yet oddly not alarmed. The soul she had tried to save will survive, limping-yes, tired-yes, feverish- not yet but it is a likelihood. Feeling worn herself she simply stood, her body blocking the view of the window and therefore her patients escape. "I hold none but myself in this lowly of places." The Unknown Warrior Of Fiend stepped into the witches home, devilish horns extended from both sides of his head, and a pointed horn from his forehead, his body was blue and had odd green markings everywhere. Large horns also extended upwards from his broad shoulders and fearsome easily was he. His pure red eyes stared coldly down upon the witch but she stood where she was, not moving.
"You are a traitor to our kind, expect your death. Where is the visionist?!"
Taking a deep breath the witch spoke softly, "I am no traitor. I am merely a witch of this forest. Tell your Dark lord that I will not be apart of his schemes. The visionists should not be hunted lest of all by their- but wait, why are YOU the one hunting them?"
"I was sent with Bakura to ensure he does his job."
"But Bakura, is he not an elite of your master? Why should you…"
"Be quiet witch. Don't muddle in that which you have no part in. I simply follow the master's orders, I guard Bakura, he is… elsewhere at the moment. Now that the pleasantries are over…" With three wide steps the Unknown warrior Of Fiend had grabbed the witch and pulled her tight, his clawed wrist deadly close to her throat. Just as he was about to slit her throat the witch grabbed something from a random shelf and smashed it to the ground, purple smoke quickly raised to both their heads, albeit the Fiend was at least three heads taller than the witch.
Just as the witch desperately made it to the door someone stepped in front of her, someone in robe-like garments. Someone who's face was concealed by a purple cloth and all you could see was darkness where his eyes was suppose to be-except for the two yellow lights. "No, no my pretty. You're not going anywhere." Someone called the Mysterious Puppeteer.
Ryou had desperately raced through the dark forest- well, he was really trying to race, failing was more accurate but still he managed to leave the Black witch's domain. Stopping to rest Ryou caught his breath by eagerly leaning against a well-grown tree. Then, as he was regaining his breath his eyes widened and turned almost white; breath suddenly silent…
His other flashed between his eyes, the same eyes Ryou couldn't stand to see in pain stared up at him, "Help me," his other pleaded. But Ryou couldn't do anything as black smog enclosed his other until not even the white of his hair was visible. An evil laugh surrounded Ryou's ears and his other stepped from the darkness, an obvious smirk on his face reminding Ryou of the vision by the fi-, the fi-, the flames. Abruptly his vision changed and his other was leading him to darkness, everything blurred as time moved too fast then stopped with his other and him in some room- a room of pure evil, Ryou turned around to see his other was gone and he was alone, locked in a tiny cage hanging over an abyss of darkness. Then the quick image of his other smiling flashed between his eyes- his other was happy. FLASH, he was back with his other, captive once more but was released, his other walked into the shadows alone, once more time passed too quickly to discern events and once more he was in the room of darkness- no, only the other was and someone he hadn't noticed before moved, his other was struck by some kind of dark lightning? For a moment the other stayed standing before crumpling to the ground and Ryou immediately recognized the expression on his face, it was the same expression Ryou had seen and drawn countless times. The same face that Ryou would do anything to never actually see. His other was in despair and pain- so, so much pain. Too much pain. FLASH. Ryou stood alone.
Ryou's eyes cleared and he started blinking like mad. Once his eyes where wet again he slumped down. What does that mean? What do any of his accursed visions mean!! ...That he would have to make a choice? At least that's what he thought they meant. He would have to choose between him and his other. He would have to choose who would get hurt- he didn't want to make such a choice. …But if that were true than he would have to actually meet his other.
Ryou could no longer define the difference between what was true and what was a lie, could no longer tell which could be reality. Or for that matter which was fantasy, not now, not in this world, this… earth? Sighing Ryou did the only thing he could think of and that was drawing, luckily the bag the Black Forest Witch had hastily given him was his own, so while munching on an apple Ryou took out his sketchbook and in quick sketches recorded small portions of his latest vision that later he would fix in more detail.
The sketches were a total of five. One was a dismal almost black sketch of Ryou in a small little black bared cage, on his knees hands gripping the bars, his cage hanging by a thin metal chain, a bluish darkness much like mist was all you could see underneath him. Another was his other standing in pain as something black rained down on him from the ceiling, an unknown shadow looming in the darkness. The third was of the smile his other had flashed, his other being actually happy, the first he saw him as such and therefore something to treasure and remember; more detail was put into this sketch. The fourth was of Ryou standing alone, just simply alone. And finally, the fifth was incomplete; Ryou had just put his pencil to the white paper when he heard a twig snap not too far from where he rested.
Suddenly feeling at an unease Ryou quickly grabbed his bag and shoved the sketchbook in, followed by the hastening of the pencils and zipping. Ryou was glancing nervously around, for what happened with those people at the witch's house? Ryou, upon not seeing anyone grew even more unnerved and put his bag over his shoulder and started walking, however slower than previous since every step he took still hurt. Finding that he was tiring way too quickly Ryou was losing hope of ever being safe in this accursed and endless forest. True he had left the nearly pitch-dark forest of the Black Forest Witch, but lighter or no, he was still surrounded by trees, making everything eerie.
Another twig snapped behind him causing Ryou to abruptly stop to glance tensely around, once more he saw naught but still forced his sore legs onward. Without watching where he was going Ryou was taken totally and utterly by shock when something closed around him and upwards he shot, dangling pathetically from a net. He winced and held in a sob of pain as his legs were forced to crouch when the net closed around him. Instead he closed his eyes tightly until most of the pain subsided, when he opened them again someone was underneath him, someone tall, someone with pure white hair, someone that looked oddly like him. "Other," he breathed, unbelieving.
(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)
Draggy: In response to Platerair Queen I have thus to say…
The Creatures, "Change Of Heart" and "Dark Magician" will be showing in this fic. One, the change of heart has already made an appearance last chapter and two; the dark magician will eventually make his grand appearance. Could I really leave out the main characters' favourite cards? I'll eventually get there, don't worry. Thanks for reviewing every chapter. ^-^ As a reward, hey, this chapter! Hehe, now for the squirrel story. It shall be done!
Note: (see look, request granted! ^_~ If you want to see a character mixed with a squirrel story, simply request, requests get granted!!) Yes, so victim number… umm??
number…
…err…
Let's see, #1 was Yugi, then I had Tea so that makes 2, then yami Bakura was #3. *authoress counting on fingers* Ryou was #4, then Yami at 5 and Yugi, but he was already previously said at #1 and then there was Bakura, but that was #… #3, so I'm at #… yeah. Characters need torture!! -_-;; *scratches head* Heh, heh.
Yeah, so let us begin!!
Marik rather enjoyed the squirrel stories from his friends and had to laugh a couple times, especially from the line of yami's running from the tiny little cute squirrel down the street. He was more than happy to aid his friends, although it might not have been a coincidence that he was there yesterday. His sister, Isis, had allowed him out, he was more than glad to go because it was raining. He loved the rain, something he could never enjoy until he moved to Tokyo because he had always shared an… imprisoned life before and was never aloud outside. Isis had seldom allowed him to enjoy the phenomenal so when she had abruptly turned to him, sulking at the window and told him to and enjoy the weather Marik raced at the chance, grabbing his Millennium Rod out of habit and familiarity. He never went anywhere without it if he could help it.
So, although it was a shock to see everyone out in the rain Marik was overjoyed.
Now he was racing through the house, trying to find his damn school jacket but was having no luck. As always he called upon Isis. "SIS! I cannot find my jacket, where is it!?"
Isis did not yell back but came up to his room where he was tearing it apart. "Brother, you know I do not choose what I see, and before you say it this is not important enough for the use of a Millennial item." Isis watched as her brother looked crestfallen. "Besides, I'm not even wearing it." Eying her brother warily she added, "and where is the Millennial Rod?"
"What, Rod? I do not know what you are talking about dear sister." Marik edged closer to his backpack, trying not to bring attention to what he was doing but Isis was too quick and had grabbed it before he could. Pulling the Rod from his bag she quirked an eyebrow. "Marik." Her voice slightly agitated, "what did I tell you about bringing the Rod to school?"
"That I cannot." Marik sighed in exasperation. "But what if I need it! What if I'm in a life-threatening situation, or my skills are needed." Marik grabbed the Rod from his sister and hugged it like a child would a security blanket.
Isis grabbed it back. "I think it is a risk I'm willing to take. The last catastrophe was caused by you, you nearly got your principal expelled!" Marik smiled slightly at the memory of his principal dancing the hoola in his boxers. Ah, the classics! "I think you're jackets drying near the vent, you'll be late if you don't hurry." Isis, Rod in tow, left the room and returned to reading down on the sofa.
Marik walked to school alone as usual, although sometimes Ryou would walk the extra mile to go to his house and they would walk together, today was not one of those days. As always Marik felt lost without his Millennium Rod but his yami could always keep him company regardless, Malik (yami) just couldn't burrow his body… or use it.
And so it was thus that Marik came upon a trail of nuts. Now, this was more than enough to persuade Marik to follow them, for he was a prankster himself. The trail of nuts lead Marik to the park and ended just short of a tree. Glancing around and seeing nobody around Marik decided that the trail of nuts meant that someone must be in the tree. Shrugging, yet smiling slightly, Marik walked under and looked up.
Plop.
Plop.
Plop.
Plop.
Plop.
Plop.
"Ow!"
A barricade of nuts and such bounced off his upward gazing face. "What the-"
Plop.
"Hey!!"
Deeming it safe Marik glared back up through the tree but saw nought of who attacked him with nuts. So, grabbing a few himself he stuffed his pockets then jumped and caught the lowest branch. Pulling himself up Marik quickly climbed higher and higher into the tree. There he found a squirrels nest, and a squirrel.
Rubbing his sore head Marik sat comfortly and safely on a branch, the squirrel hadn't noticed him but every now and then would throw a nut to the ground, exactly where Marik had previously stood. So, without hesitation Marik, smiling, reached into his pocket and brought back a pile of nuts. Taking aim he fired.
One walnut smacked right into the squirrel, who looked up in utter astonishment. It looked almost as if the squirrel was squinting.
Still not feeling justified Marik threw another nut at the squirrel, then another, and another until he ran out from the pile he had retrieved. The squirrel had fallen off a branch and hung from a lower one. Laughing Marik started to ease himself from the tree, forever going lower.
Ha! Wait till Yugi and Ryou here about this! Marik casually swung from each branch, feeling with his feet until he felt another branch and let go, this time though he felt none below and noticed that he could see the ground, though still too high up for his comfort to drop. He was about to pull himself back up when he felt something walk across his hands, looking up he could see the tail of the grey squirrel.
…Wasn't the squirrel that attacked the others grey? "Uh oh." The Squirrel's face popped out from above the branch, it smiled, its cute features hidden by a malicious grin. Then, holding an apricot the squirrel stated to pound Marik's fingers.
Marik let go with one hand and reached behind for his Millennium Rod, remembering only too late that it was still at home. Urgency cursed through the boy as he struggled to hang on with one hand, possibly get his other back on but the squirrel was too clever and stopped all his advances.
"Shit."
The squirrel let out a loud squeak of joy as Marik fell down.
*Ding dong* Marik opened the door to see Ryou, holding his assignments for the day. "Hey Marik, you weren't at school so I thought I'd- what happened to you?"
Marik accepted the homework and moved aside so Ryou could come in. "I- I fell…" Marik set an accusing gesture at his sister before leading Ryou to the living room. Ryou couldn't help but notice that the Millennium Rod was with Marik (in plain sight) as he opened the door, and now Marik was holding it like a treasured jewel.
Looking at Isis as he passed he asked, "What did you-?"
"I didn't warn him- and made him leave the Rod at home." Isis sighed. Marik held his Rod closer.
"Warn him of what?" But Isis had already turned her attention back to her book. Ryou noticed that the necklace was around her neck and that she kept touching it every now and then.
Marik sat across from Ryou and again Ryou repeated his question, "Marik, what happened?"
"Well, I- I… err… " Marik was a little embarrassed about what happened and didn't want Ryou to know, lest he laugh. "I-"
"He followed a trail of nuts, nuts! Can you believe it." Malik had taken over and enthusiastically told Bakura what happened, giving straight details. Ryou listened regardless. Although, this was the same thing he dreaded his yami would do to him…
By the end of the telling Bakura simply replied. "You know, that squirrel has got to be stopped!"