This chapter was also revised. (grins) You may also notice several changes.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Yu-Gi-Oh!.
To BlackBelt Aikenka, and kaz - Thank you very much for the encouraging comments. I feel very honored. (beams)

Molly-chan the Anime/game fan - I'm glad this touched you. Thank you!! (grins widely)

To the other people who reviewed, I give you all my thanks. You've made me one very happy authoress.

Chapter Two: In Obscurity

Anzu's POV

Beams of sunlight shone through the thick, dull blinds, and I snuggled deeper into the sheets, refusing to greet the day.

Another weekday. Another day at school.

I took my time, sluggishly making my way to the bathroom, hoping to rinse off any traces of drowsiness with water.

Stripping off my nightwear, I twisted the handles so that the only water that came out from the shower was cold. The other lever was defective; hot water never came out.

I watched as the frigid water splashed against the blemished flesh and decided against scraping my skin clean today.

Those bruises will never come out.

I got out of the shower and immediately got dressed. Apearances didn't matter as much as they did years ago. Even if I did worry over my appearance, I wouldn't have had the will or money to change it.

That's why, if you enter this house, you won't see a mirror in sight.

I hate my reflection.

A sense of serenity always came over me when I'd look out of a window. Maybe it was because of the restriction you felt when you were looking outside; outside where there seemed to be release.

I pondered upon it for a while and my frown turned into a small smile.

There are so many places besides this area. You could travel the world and never have to come back here. That, was what I considered freedom to be. No restrictions.

"Well if it isn't Miss anti-social? How does it feel; sitting in the back?"

The familiar, mocking voice came from above me and I turned my gaze from the window to the speaker's face.

He pushed his blonde bangs back and smirked at me, about to state something when his sister intruded, "Silence, brother!! If you don't find something worthwhile to say, then shut it!! Insults are supposed to inflict pain, but in your case, they do absolutely nothing!!"

Shizuka sighed, exasperated by her sibling's antics and leaned back in her seat.

"Touche, Ms. Wheeler." A man with ebony hair sat down beside her and wrapped an arm around her waist.

Jounouchi's attention was diverted at the moment, by the arm that was around his sister's waist.

"Hey, Shizuka..."

Said person raised a slender eyebrow, "What is it now?"

"What happened to Tristen?"

Otogi's arm around her waist tightened possessively and he glared at Jounouchi, exclaiming, "That idiot isn't the ideal man for her."

"And you are?" I couldn't help but retort acidly.

His deep frown became a smirk, "Why, of course. Aren't I right, Shizuka?"

Shizuka smirked at me and nodded, tugging at her boyfriend's long dark hair and giving him a passionate kiss.

I looked away in disgust and proceeded to look out of the window. I was accustomed to this. I was no longer the Anzu that flinched from any form of pain, but rather a transparent shell, devoid of any emotion.

But...

...that's just what I told myself.

Other people sat down in the seats around Jounouchi and I scooted closer to the window.

This wasn't like before, when I reveled in everyone's presence; I detested everyone. Especially him.

"How about Tuberculosis? " asked Mai, who somehow overheard Shizuka's statement from earlier.

"Such an appropriate word for someone like her, " said Yami silently.

Mai took pleasure in his praise and was about reply when the bus jerked to a halt.

I stood up from my seat, brushed off my school uniform, and got off the bus, blending in with the crowd of students.

I pulled open the door and was greeted with a large bucket of water dropping its contents on me.

My reaction was normal; no smile, no glare, no scream, just...

My wet, auburn hair obscured my view, but I perfectly knew who was behind this.

The teacher instantly came in and gave me an expression of disgust. "Anzu Masaki!! Do you think that this is funny?! I'm giving you two weeks of detention!! Now clean up this instant!!"

My face was a mask of blankness. Concealing my emotions, especially my hatred, was a specialty of mine. Fighting back would only give me the worst of consequences and the teacher some satisfaction.

In the bathroom, I squeezed the water from my hair and changed into dry clothing.

I don't care anymore.

Because you know what? I'm leaving. And this isn't just temporary; it's permanent. I will not return to this place if there is no need.

I went back to the classroom, not in a hurry.

At my appearance, the whole class erupted in snickers. The female teacher stopped in mid-sentence and assigned me an extra two more weeks of detention for interrupting the class.

I just don't care anymore.

She can assign me as many detentions as she wants, but I will never be able to fulfill them.

Wouldn't she be the picture of disappointment...

I watched as the long hand finally landed on the twelve.

"Class is dismissed."

As I walked toward the door, she reminded me of my four weeks of detention. I nodded politely and ran off, eager to get out of this place of imprisonment.

As I walked through the courtyard, I saw a guy with multi-colored spiked hair and woman with blonde curly hair making out.

I clutched my books against my chest and forced myself to look away, looking for another route.

Jounouchi's not going to like this.

To say that the bus was crowded would be an understatement.

People had to sit in fours for lack of room. I scanned the bus for any remaining seat and found one occupied by a tanned, blonde haired guy.

Refusing to cause anymore chaos, I asked in a polite manner, "May I sit with you?"

Malik, who just now noticed my existence, replied with a glare, "Sit somewhere else, Tuberculosis."

As the crude name left his lips, I decided with a sigh that words travel at a fast pace.

I asked again, "Please? There's no room for me to sit in anywhere else."

He held up his middle finger and said offensively, "Why don't you sit on the isle, if you're so desperate? You'd blend in very well."

I stared at him silently and complied. I heard snickers behind me.

With a cold and mocking edge to his tone, he stated, observing me, "I was correct. You blend in perfectly. But the dirt has better value than you. You're lower than the ground."

He turned to look at the window, ignoring me once more.

I was suddenly called to the front. The bus driver thought that the bus was too crowded and that I should just walk home so no more complications arise.

'No more complications?' Is that your excuse?

I closed my eyes and smiled coldly. "You're all the same."

I did as he wished and as I stood outside of the bus, I saw his eyes watching me. I narrowed my eyes and smiled, waving at him mockingly. As an expression of surprise ran over his face, I turned my back and headed home.

End Chapter

This chapter was also revised. You may notice major changes.

So who was the guy in the end? Yami, Malik, Bakura, Otogi(Duke), Jounouchi(Joey), or someone else? Review, and you might find out sooner than you think!! (grins)

deity of death