Daisuke: So… disclaimer. Lavvy doesn't own Yu-Gi-Oh. Probably never will. We can only pray. -grin- 'Cause I can guarantee it wouldn't be a 'children's show' anymore. And yeah, she doesn't own anything accept the fanfic and the lyrics to 'Oh My Gothic.'
Lav: Aha… SHUSH! I wrote a song for this, it's called Oh My Gothic. My friends Jeremiah and Nick helped me out 'cause they can play instruments and I can't... So, yes, other than that, I don't own any of the songs used in this fic. Well, I'm sorry for turning Ryou into a 'badass' for this chapter, but he's still innocent… I think? -hugs Daisuke-
Daisuke: Umm… yeah.
-
Warning: Language, yaoi, minor- VERY LITTLE, UNBELIEVABLY SMALL amount of implied drug use. So yeah.
-
[Roughly 7 years later]
"Sounds good, man!"
"Fuck! Jou, it's too quiet!"
The blonde-haired man chuckled at this. "Goin' deaf already, eh?"
The man on the bike lifted one leg over and off, leaving it to idle as he walked over to the radio. He flipped through a black CD-case until he found what he was looking for. Jou snickered, "What a public disturbance."
"We're in the middle of nowhere, how do you figure that?" He replied with a wink before putting the disk in and hitting play, cranking the volume up. A smirk crossed his face as he walked over and stood face to face with his blonde-haired friend.
"Race me." He murmured, flicking him on the nose and sauntering off to his bike.
[On my way for the day I find no sorrow]
[Everyday is all the same there's no tomorrow]
[And I feel like I feel]
[Cause it's cold here where you left me]
"Geez, cocky much? Mm, nice choice in music by the way." Jou stated, kick-starting the bike next to him.
"No, my friend. This is cocky." His jersey was off within seconds, and a pair of dark sunglasses sat upon his nose, body flexing so his lime green riding pants rode very low on his hips (Lavvy: -drool…- Daisuke: Waterlogged keyboard ahoy...). "I know, I'm delicious."
"Even when you're old?" Jou smirked.
"Twenty-three is hardly old, Jou."
The brown-eyed man rolled his eyes, "Well, you can pose for a porno later, Ry. Right now, you're supposed to be more concerned…" He pushed the kickstand away into the dirt, and with a little throttle burst forward, making sure to make a hard turn and spray his riding partner with dirt. He stopped for a minute, leaning out and whispering in his friend's ear. "Wit' the dust you're gonna be eatin'."
With that, he took off, waving at the silver-haired figure he left behind.
"And he was calling ME cocky? Pssh." Ryou laughed, putting his bike into gear and twisting the throttle. "We'll see who eats dust, Jou."
Jou looked behind him, only to see the dust cloud racing towards him. "Shit!" He chuckled and shifted into first, then second gear, taking off. They raced along the path for quite some time, pushing both dirt bikes to their assumed limits. But that would be assuming they had brains enough to care.
"Sneaky bastard!" Jou shouted, watching as said young man launched out of a fairly good sized ditch and landed in front.
A chain link fence and a warning sign was to blame for the fun coming to an end. Ryou read it out loud, sounding more and more agitated with each word. "Private property my ass." He seethed. Jou burst into laughter. "It's an enigma, man! That sign was sent here by God to test ya patience and brains. He obviously expects too much from Ryou the wittle badass!" He was nearly in tears now.
"Why am I friends with you again?" The silver-haired man questioned, raising a brow in his direction.
"Ya know, I find myself askin' dat every day, yet the answer never seems to be clearer."
"Must be hard when your head is often as empty as your stomach."
"Are you implying that I'm stupid, Ryou Bakura?" Jou questioned, smirking.
"Spell implying."
"Umm…" The blonde looked deep in thought for a moment. "Give me a second… I-m-p…"
"My point exactly!" He interrupted with a gigantic grin. The song that he had been blasting could barely be heard now. They raced back, and were greeted by blaring lyrics.
Jou retrieved him kickstand and propped his bike up, then strutted over to a black truck and climbed into the back. He lifted the lid on their red cooler, and in one quick motion grabbed a can of something and tossed it to Ryou.
The white-haired man eyed it and chuckled, shaking his head. "Already breaking for a beer, Jou?"
Said blonde smiled and plopped himself down on the tailgate. "You know it!"
The momentary silence was broken by the sound of a loud truck heading there way.
"Looks like Yami and Yugi got da' diesel fixed." Jou chided, frowning at the noise it was making. "And looking damn close to brand new." Ryou laughed, seeing a silver, and very large, truck pulling into the area.
The passenger's door opened first, and a still rather short looking man hopped out, grinning like mad. "Jou! Ryou!" He exclaimed.
"Hey Yug!" Jou shouted back with a short wave and a smile.
Yugi covered his ears with his hands and shouted back as loud as he could, "Is the music loud enough for you!?" "Nope!" Ryou yelled before twisting the volume so it would move no more in that direction. The noise made his ears ring, and he loved it. The song finally ended, and he shut off his stereo.
Yami walked over to them, beer in hand and Yugi scurrying along after him.
"Drinking and driving is dangerous, Yami." Ryou raised a brow and grinned.
"Puhleeeease, dun give me that shit…" Yami's words were slurred, causing Yugi to full out laugh.
"And ya trusted dat guy to get behind da steering wheel and drive ya here, Yug? Unbelievable." Jou looked something between shocked and amused.
Ryou observed the shorter of the tri-color haired men and couldn't help but notice he hadn't really changed over the years. Still cute, innocent, but definitely taller, though not by a whole lot. 'Growth spurts seemed to have hit everyone back then, except Yugi.' Ryou thought simply, smiling.
Ryou himself had turned out to be fairly tall as a twenty-three year old, and he--along with many of his friends and sometimes random strangers--had found themselves surprised at the man he had grown into. Of course, that was looks. His personality was a dead ringer, and would easily make him a heartthrob in the eyes and hearts of half of the women on the planet (Lavvy: Like it already hasn't?); if he didn't happen to be gay. (Lavvy: -sob- Daisuke: It'll be ok Lavender… -pats back-)
Yami spoke suddenly, snapping Ryou out of his thoughts. "So who wants ta gooo ri-din'?" He sang the last two words, earning a concerned stare from Yugi as his taller look alike nearly fell over, but caught himself and began to laugh nervously.
"Momentary gigantic lapse of judgment, Jounouchi." Yugi said, heaving a large sigh and shaking his head. Jou only snickered and nodded, "I can tell. Or did he tempt you with steamy sex in the desert? And what particular fuck toys brought on your 'momentary gigantic lapse of judgment?'" He doubled over laughing.
"Ass." The short, amethyst-eyed man replied.
Ryou strode over and put his hand on Yugi's shoulder, all three of them ignoring Yami who appeared to be talking to a rather large spider that scuttled across the sand. "I oooonly wanna talk, ickle spider! Hey… where'd it go…?!" He shouted as he chased it, then stumbled and landed flat on his face with strange words that sounded much like 'OH DUMPALUMPAGUS!' (Lav: Don't… ask… I'm just going to say, that my big cousin thoroughly scares me when he says that. Daisuke: Heehee…)
Yugi hung his head in defeat. "Why'd you let him get smashed anyways?" His silver-haired friend questioned, cocking a brow.
The tri-color haired man looked up at him, and immediately Ryou noticed what his eyes were saying. "Oh…" He started before beginning to laugh, clutching his side. "So it-it," he took a deep breath and his laughing subsided for the moment, "it WAS a sex promise? Why Yugi, you naughty little boy."
Said man swatted at his friend and scowled, "Shut up."
"Yeah, sure. But don't you think you should go rescue your sex god before he gets himself bitten?"
Realization hit the short man and he ran off after Yami. Ryou waved and then walked over to join Jou on the tailgate. "When I think I've finally figured out who has who whipped out of that pair, I stand corrected." Ryou mused.
"We may neva know. I still say Yugi has Yami whipped though. It always seemed that way back in high school, remember?"
"Nah, Yugi is so Yami's bitch."
"Aha, I'll take dat bet."
.
Ryou plopped down onto his bed and closed his eyes. A very loud argument could be heard making it's way into the room.
"Damnit, I was not wasted!" Yami pouted, followed into the room by a hysterical Yugi and Jou.
"I oooonly wanna talk, ickle spider!" Jou mocked, Yami glaring at them both.
The former pharaoh, now well built twenty-four year old, trudged over to the bed and sat down. "Jackass." He muttered. "Damn straight!" Yugi chirped, taking a running start and leaping onto to his darkness. The pair landed on top of a serene looking Ryou with a loud 'OOMPH!' Ok, never mind. It was more or less a loud 'OH SHIT!' But close enough.
"GRRAW!" Ryou snarled. The two stopped squirming and looked at him strangely.
"Still actin' like a buncha children." Jou stated, shaking his head.
"Getthefuckoff…"
Before they had time to react, Yami went flying through the air and landed in an armchair. Yugi was currently suspended in mid air, and surprisingly enough looking like he was enjoying himself. "Once a kid, always a kid at heart, Jou!"
Yami rubbed his temples and laughed softly, "Only with Ryou…" The man immediately tensed in his seat, but the calm expression never left his face.
"Ryou, you've heard of the riders that have began competing recently, haven't you?"
"Of course. I'm always interested in looking for new competition, you know that, Yami." Ryou smiled before letting Yugi down from his perch in midair. The spiky-haired man smirked, "Then I imagine you've heard about the look-a-like of yours."
Ryou shook his head and stared at Yami intently. An awkward silence was present, until he found exactly the words to say. "Well Ryou, apparently this guy could pass as your twin, or so I'm told…"
Now how they all could've forgotten of him in such a short amount of time, is for only the higher powers to know.
.
Ryou glanced up at the sign, grinning to Jou and murmuring, "Someone has fun showing off their vocabulary."
Said blonde snorted, "Like Seto ever misses a chance!" He winked, and put his arm around Ryou's shoulders to lead him in.
The club itself had a large, brightly lit sign that read in neon blue cursive letters 'Silver Iniquity.' Last month, it had been 'Tethered' in crimson letters. Every month or so, Jounouchi influenced Seto to change it, but this month he hadn't gotten the chance. The brunette had made it very clear that the name was there to stay this time. He may have been a genius, and owner of Kaiba Corp. for that matter, but that didn't mean he had the faintest clue of how people laughed at some of the strange names they saw appearing on his club.
The pair strolled up to the door casually, bypassing the bouncer outside. "Hey you tw-" He began, but quickly cut himself off when he recognized them. One, Seto's husband-to-be, and the other a friend of the couple, sometimes working the bar when he was permitted. Ryou was more or less the not-so-legal stand-in at the bar when he felt like it. He never could just settle with a job there. It was interesting, to say the least.
"Never mind!" The man grinned, strange pink-dyed eyebrows quirking. Jou saluted him, smiled, and headed inside. Any and all natural light from outside was immediately lost, and this was where the flourescence began. Ryou's tank top glowed a luminous blue color, while Jou's hair looked to be more green than blond.
Overly loud music literally rang thoroughout the establishment. In view now, were a hundred people or so crowding the dance floor which was lit up, flashing the colors magenta, blue, and purple from below; and above, for that matter. Ryou spun around on his heel, surveying the club. "Well whatdya know," he said softly.
"What's up, Ry?" Jou questioned, shouting over the newest song to come on.
[Like a movie scene]
[In the sweetest dreams]
[Have pictured us together…]
"So Kaiba hasn't come up with any ideas to make the largest club in this city ridiculously larger?"
[Now to feel your lips ]
[On my fingertips]
[I have to say is even better…]
Jou let out a low chuckle and shook his head. "He was too wrapped up in coming up with another name for this place. I think it fried his brain," he joked, winking before heading to the bar and beckoning for Ryou to follow.
[Then I ever thought it could possibly be]
[It's perfect, it's passion, it's setting me free]
[From all of my sadness]
[The tears that I've cried]
[I have spent all of my life…]
The silver-haired man stood there for a moment, adjusting to the synth beats made it feel like his head was throbbing. And bringing with the pounding, were flashes in his head. Things he had no desire to see or hear.
[Waiting for tonight, oh]
[When you would be here in my arms]
[Waiting for tonight, oh]
[I've dreamed of this love for so long]
[Waiting for tonight…]
Hazy… extremely hazy. Someone was embracing him from behind, whispering in his ear.
"Don't ever worry…"
"What if I can't help it?"
[Tender words you say ]
[Take my breath away]
[Love me now, leave me never…]
"Stay with me?"
"I won't leave you…"
"Ryou! Hey Ryou, snap out of it!"
[Found a sacred place]
[Lost in your embrace]
[I want to stay in this forever…]
Jou frowned. "RYOU!" He shouted.
No use.
He frowned and shook the man by the shoulders.
[I think of the days when the sun used to set]
[On my empty heart, all alone in my bed]
[Tossing and turning]
[Emotions were strong]
[I knew I had to hold on…]
"You promise?" He asked, eyes shining with a look of doubt.
"I promise, my angel. My Ryou."
"Good."
[Waiting for tonight, oh]
[When you would be here in my arms]
[Waiting for tonight, oh]
[I've dreamed of this love for so long]
[Waiting for tonight…]
"You were foolish. It's best to forget, now that he's gone."
"I can't forget… please… He won't come back if I forget…"
"FORGET, OR RISK LOSING WHAT SANITY I HAVE SAVED, FOOLISH BOY!"
[Waiting for tonight, oh]
[When you would be here in my arms]
[Waiting for tonight, oh]
[I've dreamed of this love for so long]
[Waiting for tonight…]
"Mental cases like myself find strange reasons to laugh. Worry, fear, loss of mental reasoning; you name it."
A desperate laugh.
"You're not funny."
[Gone are the days when the sun used to set]
[On my empty heart all alone in my bed]
[Tossing and turning]
[Emotions were strong]
[I knew I had to hold on…]
Screaming. Enough to tear his heart and soul apart.
And that voice… It sounded so familiar…
"RYOU BAKURA, ARE YOU FUCKIN' DEAF OR WHAT?!" Jounouchi shouted, causing a few people near him to stare.
"I'm not deaf, Jou." Ryou replied simply.
[Waiting for tonight, oh]
[When you would be here in my arms]
[Waiting for tonight, oh]
[I've dreamed of this love for so long]
[Waiting for tonight…]
The song ended as Ryou took a seat on a bar stool, Jou plopping himself onto the one next to it. "Geez, man, refrain from freaking me out like that." He said warily, running a hand through his hair.
"If you want." He replied, resting his chin on his hands.
"Jounouchi and Ryou, what a pleasant surprise."
The silver-haired man gazed up at the person in front of him, "We come here almost evey night, Mai, how is it ever a surprise? And considering you practically chased me out last time, how is it pleasant?"
"Too many questions, hun." She stated simply, a small smile gracing her silver lips. She was clad in a pair of tight, navy blue short shorts (Lavvy: … short shorts… My vocabulary sucks. Daisuke: No comment.) and a tight gray tank top that read 'S.I." that cut off to show midriff, revealing a navel-ring.
"Cute outfit, Mai." Jou complimented.
"And her skimpiest yet." Ryou added jokingly. Mai just grinned and smacked the side of Ryou's head playfully, "You should see what I wear to bed." Jou snorted loudly. This, earned several eyes upon him as he laughed.
"No need to blind me, really."
"Very funny, oh really, you are a riot. You two want anything to drink?" Mai asked as she walked over to get a glass, so it seemed, side-stepping a slap to the ass from a guy leaning over the bar on the way.
"Screwdriver."
"Of course, Ry-Ry." Mai winked and went about making his drink.
"Ry-Ry…" He repeated exasperatedly, burying his head in his arms. The tall blonde woman returned with his drink in a matter of minutes, dodging a couple of groping hands as she handed it to him.
"I think people are jealous." Mai chirped, grinning at the men taking in the fact that Ryou was receiving a free drink from the gorgeous bartender.
"Well that's fucking good for them." He said, taking the drink to his lips. Mai nudged him with her elbow, and soon he got the picture. He sighed mentally, before leaning across the bar and capturing her lips in a kiss.
The pair heard several grumbles and sad sighs from the guys seated at the bar, thrown in with a woman cheering. Mai nuzzled his neck and whispered just loud enough for him to hear, "Thanks, Ry."
"Don't menton it."
He sank back down into his seat, running a hand through his hair before tieing it back into a ponytail. Jou clapped softly. "Knight in shining armor to the rescue."
"Knight in black jeans and a tank top with an occupation as human security blanket." Ryou snarled back.
"Close enough." He shrugged. The guy had a point, he was always around to comfort and help out when his friends needed him. Jounouchi frowned. 'Comfort, meaningless sex with about half of his friends to name another. He always said because he refused to date, and never got romantically involved, he could always be around as a 'human security blanket.' Damn. We've really used him, haven't we?'
"Another." The slim, silver-haired man demanded, voice cracking.
"Sure thing, Ry-Ry. You ok?"
"I'm fine. Just please, get me another, 'Mai-Mai'." He tried to force back a snarl, which made his voice sound rather strained. She nodded and walked off to fix it.
"Ryou, you sure you should be drinkin'? I mean, you sound a little agitated and you never know what may happen if-"
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
"Nothing, man! You know what, never mind. And you should learn to not take things so ser- what the??…"
Ryou blinked. "Jounouchi? What is it?" He noted that his friends gaze was fixed upon the stage which, usually occupied by strippers, was sporting the equipment for a band. He turned around to figure out what he might've been so shocked about, when he caught sight of none other than Seto Kaiba on the stage, apparently thinking he could get away with looking like someone who belonged in a most pit.
His brown hair now sported blue streaks, that glowed in the lighting; his outfit consisted of a pair of very loose, overly baggy black pants hanging very low on his hips, black bracelets on each of his wrists that has 3 inch metallic spikes protruding but them, and a pair of black Converse low tops. His chest was bare, and a large metal cross hung around his neck on a chain.
"He really has changed a lot." Jou said softly, smiling.
"Changed my ass. He's undergone a complete transformation!" Mai piped up, smirking as she handed Ryou his second Screwdriver of the evening.
Seto took the mic in his hand and grinned as the club fell relatively silent. "I'm very pleased to announce, that we have a very interesting band performing hear tonight."
"And now, I leave the stage to Crest." With this, Seto sauntered off the large, round stage and went to join his lover and friend at the bar. Ryou eyed him, and it took Seto a matter of minutes to catch it. "Something wrong, Ryou?"
"Yeah. Who's Crest? And how are they very interesting?"
"Pssh, wouldn't you like to know."
"Yes, actually, I would."
"Watch and find out for yourself." Seto replied, pulling his lover into his lap and smiling at the confused looking Ryou.
"Come out of the dark, I want to see your pretty face.
Those lust filled eyes and bloody fangs…"
"Huh?" The soft words met Ryou's ears, sending chills up and down his spine. How could anything be so distant and haunting? He turned back around towards the stage as a few chords were struck on a guitar, and his eyes met a man around his age holding the mic close to his mouth, head bowed with hair falling in his face so no one could see it. He was adorned in baggy pants much like Seto's that rode very low on his hips, and a button up black shirt short-sleeved that was currently unbuttoned fully.
A few more chords were struck and the bass came in, playing a relatively fast-paced sound that, to Ryou, sounded like it belonged either in a horror movie or a mosh pit. He couldn't exactly decide which.
"Oh my gothic, don't leave me here. Come in and prove you mean what you said. This place is hazy, there's no need to fear. Take us both higher and bleed for your love…" The white-haired figure sang.
"Oh my gothic, aren't you sincere? Give me all of you, scream for more. Writhe in my arms, call out my name. Don't stop until you truly feel the pain." He sang again, head still bowed.
Ryou stared in minor awe as the figure lifted his head up. A pair of angry, yet empty lavender orbs met his own from across the way. He continued to sing…
"I'm slowly crumbling away, so I dig my fangs deep. Oh my gothic, I'll drink those crimson tears you weep."
"Oh my gothic, cry out again. I love the way it rings within my head. I love the frightened tone to your voice. Hold onto your soul, as I pry it from your flesh…"
The one thing that truly struck Ryou's heart with fear… was when he received a grin from his slver-haired look-a-like. Were those fangs? He couldn't tell for sure, but the sharp, white points that stuck out from under the man's top lip looked awfully like fangs to him. The man on stage came upon the next words, swaying his hips suggestively.
"Oh my gothic, my lifeless doll, I've stained you forever, how do you feel? Now breathe to me your words of regret. Go on and scream at me for what I've stolen."
"I'm slowly crumbling away, so I dig my fangs deep. Oh my gothic, I'll drink those crimson tears you weep."
Ryou could've died on the spot as the man on stage threw his head back and moaned into the mic.
A loud strum of the guitar, and he finished the song while it echoed.
"Oh my gothic, my eyes will always be on you. Oh my gothic, there's nowhere to run…"
"Nowhere to hide, my tainted one…" The bass guitar player to his right sang softly, and the song was over. The crowd was sent into applause, some people whistling and chanting the bands name. Seto immediately got up from his spot at the bar and ran up onto the strage, grabbing a mic. "And that was Crest singing Oh My Gothic! One more round of applause, ya'll heard how fucking awesome they were, they deserve it!"
The five band members on stage took a bow before walking offstage. Seto spoke up once again, "DJ, spin that shit!"
Jou's eyes widened as Ryou uttered one… single… word. "Drugs." He laughed quietly as Jounouchi fumed, "Seto Kaiba, you are a dead man."
"He's not a man, he's owner of Kaiba Corp." Ryou said happily, putting an arm around his friend who was looking dangerously close to foaming at the mouth and attacking someone.
"I don't care if he's God, Ryou. His ass is mine." The blonde snarled, sending Ryou into a fit of giggles.
"You do know how perverted you sound, correct?"
Jou hung his head. "Yeah. I know."
"You stare." Came a voice from the other side of Ryou, and he turned to see his look-a-like sitting on the barstool to the left of him. Now that he could get a better look, he was intrigued. His eyes were by far the most interesting thing from just looking at him. They were outlined in more than enough eyeliner, though all it seemed to do was show how worn-out and sad they looked. Of course, that was if a person were perceptive enough to look hard and see it.
"Bitchin' show tonight, Bakura!" Mai exclaimed, doing a strange handshake with the singer.
He smile up at her half-heartedly, "Thanks. For our first time playing in this club, we got a pretty good reaction from th crowd, don't you think?"
Mai nodded softly, "They loved you, Baku-Baku!"
Ryou smiled when he caught the man wincing at the nickname Mai had given him. "It's Bakura. Just… Bakura. Bakura the mental case, if you like, but always Bakura. Never in a million years will it be 'Baku-Baku.'" He shuddered.
A gasp. 'Mental cases like myself find strange reasons to laugh…' Shut up.
Mai looked utterly hurt. "Ok, sure. Want anything to drink?"
"Daiquiri."
"Ah… taking it easy, hmm? Flavor?"
"Blackberry."
He had always loved blackberries.
Who?
Him.
Ryou blinked, awakened by a hand waving around in his face. "Are you alright?"
A pair of confused brown orbs looked into the sad and concerned looking violet ones. Peculiar. They almost looked… blue?
Why couldn't he look away?
Thunk. A glass was set on the counter in front of him. "Screwdriver for your thoughts?"
He woke up, though he desperately didn't want to. Woke up from a warm feeling he had been missing for a while now.
"Ryou Bakura!" Came Mai's angry screech.
"What?" He asked, a dull look on his face. She shoved the drink over to him and went about making others. "Oh."
Bakura smiled, showing the tips of sharpened canines. "Daydreaming?" He questioned.
Ryou brought the drink to his lips and murmured into it, "No, what makes you think I was?"
"No answering a question with another question."
"I answered first, then asked you a question. It's not the same."
"Always complicated." Bakura muttered, turning towards Mai and taking his drink from her. "What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing."
He couldn't let things like that slip.
-
Lavvy: Terrible…? Horrific…? I'm sorry, no real getting into the plot this chapter. So, yeah: flame, critique, laugh, or throw angry gnomes. Remember, ANY TYPE OF FEEDBACK IS APPRECIATED!
Daisuke: Desperate…
Lav: Aha… SHUSH! I wrote a song for this, it's called Oh My Gothic. My friends Jeremiah and Nick helped me out 'cause they can play instruments and I can't... So, yes, other than that, I don't own any of the songs used in this fic. Well, I'm sorry for turning Ryou into a 'badass' for this chapter, but he's still innocent… I think? -hugs Daisuke-
Daisuke: Umm… yeah.
-
Warning: Language, yaoi, minor- VERY LITTLE, UNBELIEVABLY SMALL amount of implied drug use. So yeah.
-
[Roughly 7 years later]
"Sounds good, man!"
"Fuck! Jou, it's too quiet!"
The blonde-haired man chuckled at this. "Goin' deaf already, eh?"
The man on the bike lifted one leg over and off, leaving it to idle as he walked over to the radio. He flipped through a black CD-case until he found what he was looking for. Jou snickered, "What a public disturbance."
"We're in the middle of nowhere, how do you figure that?" He replied with a wink before putting the disk in and hitting play, cranking the volume up. A smirk crossed his face as he walked over and stood face to face with his blonde-haired friend.
"Race me." He murmured, flicking him on the nose and sauntering off to his bike.
[On my way for the day I find no sorrow]
[Everyday is all the same there's no tomorrow]
[And I feel like I feel]
[Cause it's cold here where you left me]
"Geez, cocky much? Mm, nice choice in music by the way." Jou stated, kick-starting the bike next to him.
"No, my friend. This is cocky." His jersey was off within seconds, and a pair of dark sunglasses sat upon his nose, body flexing so his lime green riding pants rode very low on his hips (Lavvy: -drool…- Daisuke: Waterlogged keyboard ahoy...). "I know, I'm delicious."
"Even when you're old?" Jou smirked.
"Twenty-three is hardly old, Jou."
The brown-eyed man rolled his eyes, "Well, you can pose for a porno later, Ry. Right now, you're supposed to be more concerned…" He pushed the kickstand away into the dirt, and with a little throttle burst forward, making sure to make a hard turn and spray his riding partner with dirt. He stopped for a minute, leaning out and whispering in his friend's ear. "Wit' the dust you're gonna be eatin'."
With that, he took off, waving at the silver-haired figure he left behind.
"And he was calling ME cocky? Pssh." Ryou laughed, putting his bike into gear and twisting the throttle. "We'll see who eats dust, Jou."
Jou looked behind him, only to see the dust cloud racing towards him. "Shit!" He chuckled and shifted into first, then second gear, taking off. They raced along the path for quite some time, pushing both dirt bikes to their assumed limits. But that would be assuming they had brains enough to care.
"Sneaky bastard!" Jou shouted, watching as said young man launched out of a fairly good sized ditch and landed in front.
A chain link fence and a warning sign was to blame for the fun coming to an end. Ryou read it out loud, sounding more and more agitated with each word. "Private property my ass." He seethed. Jou burst into laughter. "It's an enigma, man! That sign was sent here by God to test ya patience and brains. He obviously expects too much from Ryou the wittle badass!" He was nearly in tears now.
"Why am I friends with you again?" The silver-haired man questioned, raising a brow in his direction.
"Ya know, I find myself askin' dat every day, yet the answer never seems to be clearer."
"Must be hard when your head is often as empty as your stomach."
"Are you implying that I'm stupid, Ryou Bakura?" Jou questioned, smirking.
"Spell implying."
"Umm…" The blonde looked deep in thought for a moment. "Give me a second… I-m-p…"
"My point exactly!" He interrupted with a gigantic grin. The song that he had been blasting could barely be heard now. They raced back, and were greeted by blaring lyrics.
Jou retrieved him kickstand and propped his bike up, then strutted over to a black truck and climbed into the back. He lifted the lid on their red cooler, and in one quick motion grabbed a can of something and tossed it to Ryou.
The white-haired man eyed it and chuckled, shaking his head. "Already breaking for a beer, Jou?"
Said blonde smiled and plopped himself down on the tailgate. "You know it!"
The momentary silence was broken by the sound of a loud truck heading there way.
"Looks like Yami and Yugi got da' diesel fixed." Jou chided, frowning at the noise it was making. "And looking damn close to brand new." Ryou laughed, seeing a silver, and very large, truck pulling into the area.
The passenger's door opened first, and a still rather short looking man hopped out, grinning like mad. "Jou! Ryou!" He exclaimed.
"Hey Yug!" Jou shouted back with a short wave and a smile.
Yugi covered his ears with his hands and shouted back as loud as he could, "Is the music loud enough for you!?" "Nope!" Ryou yelled before twisting the volume so it would move no more in that direction. The noise made his ears ring, and he loved it. The song finally ended, and he shut off his stereo.
Yami walked over to them, beer in hand and Yugi scurrying along after him.
"Drinking and driving is dangerous, Yami." Ryou raised a brow and grinned.
"Puhleeeease, dun give me that shit…" Yami's words were slurred, causing Yugi to full out laugh.
"And ya trusted dat guy to get behind da steering wheel and drive ya here, Yug? Unbelievable." Jou looked something between shocked and amused.
Ryou observed the shorter of the tri-color haired men and couldn't help but notice he hadn't really changed over the years. Still cute, innocent, but definitely taller, though not by a whole lot. 'Growth spurts seemed to have hit everyone back then, except Yugi.' Ryou thought simply, smiling.
Ryou himself had turned out to be fairly tall as a twenty-three year old, and he--along with many of his friends and sometimes random strangers--had found themselves surprised at the man he had grown into. Of course, that was looks. His personality was a dead ringer, and would easily make him a heartthrob in the eyes and hearts of half of the women on the planet (Lavvy: Like it already hasn't?); if he didn't happen to be gay. (Lavvy: -sob- Daisuke: It'll be ok Lavender… -pats back-)
Yami spoke suddenly, snapping Ryou out of his thoughts. "So who wants ta gooo ri-din'?" He sang the last two words, earning a concerned stare from Yugi as his taller look alike nearly fell over, but caught himself and began to laugh nervously.
"Momentary gigantic lapse of judgment, Jounouchi." Yugi said, heaving a large sigh and shaking his head. Jou only snickered and nodded, "I can tell. Or did he tempt you with steamy sex in the desert? And what particular fuck toys brought on your 'momentary gigantic lapse of judgment?'" He doubled over laughing.
"Ass." The short, amethyst-eyed man replied.
Ryou strode over and put his hand on Yugi's shoulder, all three of them ignoring Yami who appeared to be talking to a rather large spider that scuttled across the sand. "I oooonly wanna talk, ickle spider! Hey… where'd it go…?!" He shouted as he chased it, then stumbled and landed flat on his face with strange words that sounded much like 'OH DUMPALUMPAGUS!' (Lav: Don't… ask… I'm just going to say, that my big cousin thoroughly scares me when he says that. Daisuke: Heehee…)
Yugi hung his head in defeat. "Why'd you let him get smashed anyways?" His silver-haired friend questioned, cocking a brow.
The tri-color haired man looked up at him, and immediately Ryou noticed what his eyes were saying. "Oh…" He started before beginning to laugh, clutching his side. "So it-it," he took a deep breath and his laughing subsided for the moment, "it WAS a sex promise? Why Yugi, you naughty little boy."
Said man swatted at his friend and scowled, "Shut up."
"Yeah, sure. But don't you think you should go rescue your sex god before he gets himself bitten?"
Realization hit the short man and he ran off after Yami. Ryou waved and then walked over to join Jou on the tailgate. "When I think I've finally figured out who has who whipped out of that pair, I stand corrected." Ryou mused.
"We may neva know. I still say Yugi has Yami whipped though. It always seemed that way back in high school, remember?"
"Nah, Yugi is so Yami's bitch."
"Aha, I'll take dat bet."
.
Ryou plopped down onto his bed and closed his eyes. A very loud argument could be heard making it's way into the room.
"Damnit, I was not wasted!" Yami pouted, followed into the room by a hysterical Yugi and Jou.
"I oooonly wanna talk, ickle spider!" Jou mocked, Yami glaring at them both.
The former pharaoh, now well built twenty-four year old, trudged over to the bed and sat down. "Jackass." He muttered. "Damn straight!" Yugi chirped, taking a running start and leaping onto to his darkness. The pair landed on top of a serene looking Ryou with a loud 'OOMPH!' Ok, never mind. It was more or less a loud 'OH SHIT!' But close enough.
"GRRAW!" Ryou snarled. The two stopped squirming and looked at him strangely.
"Still actin' like a buncha children." Jou stated, shaking his head.
"Getthefuckoff…"
Before they had time to react, Yami went flying through the air and landed in an armchair. Yugi was currently suspended in mid air, and surprisingly enough looking like he was enjoying himself. "Once a kid, always a kid at heart, Jou!"
Yami rubbed his temples and laughed softly, "Only with Ryou…" The man immediately tensed in his seat, but the calm expression never left his face.
"Ryou, you've heard of the riders that have began competing recently, haven't you?"
"Of course. I'm always interested in looking for new competition, you know that, Yami." Ryou smiled before letting Yugi down from his perch in midair. The spiky-haired man smirked, "Then I imagine you've heard about the look-a-like of yours."
Ryou shook his head and stared at Yami intently. An awkward silence was present, until he found exactly the words to say. "Well Ryou, apparently this guy could pass as your twin, or so I'm told…"
Now how they all could've forgotten of him in such a short amount of time, is for only the higher powers to know.
.
Ryou glanced up at the sign, grinning to Jou and murmuring, "Someone has fun showing off their vocabulary."
Said blonde snorted, "Like Seto ever misses a chance!" He winked, and put his arm around Ryou's shoulders to lead him in.
The club itself had a large, brightly lit sign that read in neon blue cursive letters 'Silver Iniquity.' Last month, it had been 'Tethered' in crimson letters. Every month or so, Jounouchi influenced Seto to change it, but this month he hadn't gotten the chance. The brunette had made it very clear that the name was there to stay this time. He may have been a genius, and owner of Kaiba Corp. for that matter, but that didn't mean he had the faintest clue of how people laughed at some of the strange names they saw appearing on his club.
The pair strolled up to the door casually, bypassing the bouncer outside. "Hey you tw-" He began, but quickly cut himself off when he recognized them. One, Seto's husband-to-be, and the other a friend of the couple, sometimes working the bar when he was permitted. Ryou was more or less the not-so-legal stand-in at the bar when he felt like it. He never could just settle with a job there. It was interesting, to say the least.
"Never mind!" The man grinned, strange pink-dyed eyebrows quirking. Jou saluted him, smiled, and headed inside. Any and all natural light from outside was immediately lost, and this was where the flourescence began. Ryou's tank top glowed a luminous blue color, while Jou's hair looked to be more green than blond.
Overly loud music literally rang thoroughout the establishment. In view now, were a hundred people or so crowding the dance floor which was lit up, flashing the colors magenta, blue, and purple from below; and above, for that matter. Ryou spun around on his heel, surveying the club. "Well whatdya know," he said softly.
"What's up, Ry?" Jou questioned, shouting over the newest song to come on.
[Like a movie scene]
[In the sweetest dreams]
[Have pictured us together…]
"So Kaiba hasn't come up with any ideas to make the largest club in this city ridiculously larger?"
[Now to feel your lips ]
[On my fingertips]
[I have to say is even better…]
Jou let out a low chuckle and shook his head. "He was too wrapped up in coming up with another name for this place. I think it fried his brain," he joked, winking before heading to the bar and beckoning for Ryou to follow.
[Then I ever thought it could possibly be]
[It's perfect, it's passion, it's setting me free]
[From all of my sadness]
[The tears that I've cried]
[I have spent all of my life…]
The silver-haired man stood there for a moment, adjusting to the synth beats made it feel like his head was throbbing. And bringing with the pounding, were flashes in his head. Things he had no desire to see or hear.
[Waiting for tonight, oh]
[When you would be here in my arms]
[Waiting for tonight, oh]
[I've dreamed of this love for so long]
[Waiting for tonight…]
Hazy… extremely hazy. Someone was embracing him from behind, whispering in his ear.
"Don't ever worry…"
"What if I can't help it?"
[Tender words you say ]
[Take my breath away]
[Love me now, leave me never…]
"Stay with me?"
"I won't leave you…"
"Ryou! Hey Ryou, snap out of it!"
[Found a sacred place]
[Lost in your embrace]
[I want to stay in this forever…]
Jou frowned. "RYOU!" He shouted.
No use.
He frowned and shook the man by the shoulders.
[I think of the days when the sun used to set]
[On my empty heart, all alone in my bed]
[Tossing and turning]
[Emotions were strong]
[I knew I had to hold on…]
"You promise?" He asked, eyes shining with a look of doubt.
"I promise, my angel. My Ryou."
"Good."
[Waiting for tonight, oh]
[When you would be here in my arms]
[Waiting for tonight, oh]
[I've dreamed of this love for so long]
[Waiting for tonight…]
"You were foolish. It's best to forget, now that he's gone."
"I can't forget… please… He won't come back if I forget…"
"FORGET, OR RISK LOSING WHAT SANITY I HAVE SAVED, FOOLISH BOY!"
[Waiting for tonight, oh]
[When you would be here in my arms]
[Waiting for tonight, oh]
[I've dreamed of this love for so long]
[Waiting for tonight…]
"Mental cases like myself find strange reasons to laugh. Worry, fear, loss of mental reasoning; you name it."
A desperate laugh.
"You're not funny."
[Gone are the days when the sun used to set]
[On my empty heart all alone in my bed]
[Tossing and turning]
[Emotions were strong]
[I knew I had to hold on…]
Screaming. Enough to tear his heart and soul apart.
And that voice… It sounded so familiar…
"RYOU BAKURA, ARE YOU FUCKIN' DEAF OR WHAT?!" Jounouchi shouted, causing a few people near him to stare.
"I'm not deaf, Jou." Ryou replied simply.
[Waiting for tonight, oh]
[When you would be here in my arms]
[Waiting for tonight, oh]
[I've dreamed of this love for so long]
[Waiting for tonight…]
The song ended as Ryou took a seat on a bar stool, Jou plopping himself onto the one next to it. "Geez, man, refrain from freaking me out like that." He said warily, running a hand through his hair.
"If you want." He replied, resting his chin on his hands.
"Jounouchi and Ryou, what a pleasant surprise."
The silver-haired man gazed up at the person in front of him, "We come here almost evey night, Mai, how is it ever a surprise? And considering you practically chased me out last time, how is it pleasant?"
"Too many questions, hun." She stated simply, a small smile gracing her silver lips. She was clad in a pair of tight, navy blue short shorts (Lavvy: … short shorts… My vocabulary sucks. Daisuke: No comment.) and a tight gray tank top that read 'S.I." that cut off to show midriff, revealing a navel-ring.
"Cute outfit, Mai." Jou complimented.
"And her skimpiest yet." Ryou added jokingly. Mai just grinned and smacked the side of Ryou's head playfully, "You should see what I wear to bed." Jou snorted loudly. This, earned several eyes upon him as he laughed.
"No need to blind me, really."
"Very funny, oh really, you are a riot. You two want anything to drink?" Mai asked as she walked over to get a glass, so it seemed, side-stepping a slap to the ass from a guy leaning over the bar on the way.
"Screwdriver."
"Of course, Ry-Ry." Mai winked and went about making his drink.
"Ry-Ry…" He repeated exasperatedly, burying his head in his arms. The tall blonde woman returned with his drink in a matter of minutes, dodging a couple of groping hands as she handed it to him.
"I think people are jealous." Mai chirped, grinning at the men taking in the fact that Ryou was receiving a free drink from the gorgeous bartender.
"Well that's fucking good for them." He said, taking the drink to his lips. Mai nudged him with her elbow, and soon he got the picture. He sighed mentally, before leaning across the bar and capturing her lips in a kiss.
The pair heard several grumbles and sad sighs from the guys seated at the bar, thrown in with a woman cheering. Mai nuzzled his neck and whispered just loud enough for him to hear, "Thanks, Ry."
"Don't menton it."
He sank back down into his seat, running a hand through his hair before tieing it back into a ponytail. Jou clapped softly. "Knight in shining armor to the rescue."
"Knight in black jeans and a tank top with an occupation as human security blanket." Ryou snarled back.
"Close enough." He shrugged. The guy had a point, he was always around to comfort and help out when his friends needed him. Jounouchi frowned. 'Comfort, meaningless sex with about half of his friends to name another. He always said because he refused to date, and never got romantically involved, he could always be around as a 'human security blanket.' Damn. We've really used him, haven't we?'
"Another." The slim, silver-haired man demanded, voice cracking.
"Sure thing, Ry-Ry. You ok?"
"I'm fine. Just please, get me another, 'Mai-Mai'." He tried to force back a snarl, which made his voice sound rather strained. She nodded and walked off to fix it.
"Ryou, you sure you should be drinkin'? I mean, you sound a little agitated and you never know what may happen if-"
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
"Nothing, man! You know what, never mind. And you should learn to not take things so ser- what the??…"
Ryou blinked. "Jounouchi? What is it?" He noted that his friends gaze was fixed upon the stage which, usually occupied by strippers, was sporting the equipment for a band. He turned around to figure out what he might've been so shocked about, when he caught sight of none other than Seto Kaiba on the stage, apparently thinking he could get away with looking like someone who belonged in a most pit.
His brown hair now sported blue streaks, that glowed in the lighting; his outfit consisted of a pair of very loose, overly baggy black pants hanging very low on his hips, black bracelets on each of his wrists that has 3 inch metallic spikes protruding but them, and a pair of black Converse low tops. His chest was bare, and a large metal cross hung around his neck on a chain.
"He really has changed a lot." Jou said softly, smiling.
"Changed my ass. He's undergone a complete transformation!" Mai piped up, smirking as she handed Ryou his second Screwdriver of the evening.
Seto took the mic in his hand and grinned as the club fell relatively silent. "I'm very pleased to announce, that we have a very interesting band performing hear tonight."
"And now, I leave the stage to Crest." With this, Seto sauntered off the large, round stage and went to join his lover and friend at the bar. Ryou eyed him, and it took Seto a matter of minutes to catch it. "Something wrong, Ryou?"
"Yeah. Who's Crest? And how are they very interesting?"
"Pssh, wouldn't you like to know."
"Yes, actually, I would."
"Watch and find out for yourself." Seto replied, pulling his lover into his lap and smiling at the confused looking Ryou.
"Come out of the dark, I want to see your pretty face.
Those lust filled eyes and bloody fangs…"
"Huh?" The soft words met Ryou's ears, sending chills up and down his spine. How could anything be so distant and haunting? He turned back around towards the stage as a few chords were struck on a guitar, and his eyes met a man around his age holding the mic close to his mouth, head bowed with hair falling in his face so no one could see it. He was adorned in baggy pants much like Seto's that rode very low on his hips, and a button up black shirt short-sleeved that was currently unbuttoned fully.
A few more chords were struck and the bass came in, playing a relatively fast-paced sound that, to Ryou, sounded like it belonged either in a horror movie or a mosh pit. He couldn't exactly decide which.
"Oh my gothic, don't leave me here. Come in and prove you mean what you said. This place is hazy, there's no need to fear. Take us both higher and bleed for your love…" The white-haired figure sang.
"Oh my gothic, aren't you sincere? Give me all of you, scream for more. Writhe in my arms, call out my name. Don't stop until you truly feel the pain." He sang again, head still bowed.
Ryou stared in minor awe as the figure lifted his head up. A pair of angry, yet empty lavender orbs met his own from across the way. He continued to sing…
"I'm slowly crumbling away, so I dig my fangs deep. Oh my gothic, I'll drink those crimson tears you weep."
"Oh my gothic, cry out again. I love the way it rings within my head. I love the frightened tone to your voice. Hold onto your soul, as I pry it from your flesh…"
The one thing that truly struck Ryou's heart with fear… was when he received a grin from his slver-haired look-a-like. Were those fangs? He couldn't tell for sure, but the sharp, white points that stuck out from under the man's top lip looked awfully like fangs to him. The man on stage came upon the next words, swaying his hips suggestively.
"Oh my gothic, my lifeless doll, I've stained you forever, how do you feel? Now breathe to me your words of regret. Go on and scream at me for what I've stolen."
"I'm slowly crumbling away, so I dig my fangs deep. Oh my gothic, I'll drink those crimson tears you weep."
Ryou could've died on the spot as the man on stage threw his head back and moaned into the mic.
A loud strum of the guitar, and he finished the song while it echoed.
"Oh my gothic, my eyes will always be on you. Oh my gothic, there's nowhere to run…"
"Nowhere to hide, my tainted one…" The bass guitar player to his right sang softly, and the song was over. The crowd was sent into applause, some people whistling and chanting the bands name. Seto immediately got up from his spot at the bar and ran up onto the strage, grabbing a mic. "And that was Crest singing Oh My Gothic! One more round of applause, ya'll heard how fucking awesome they were, they deserve it!"
The five band members on stage took a bow before walking offstage. Seto spoke up once again, "DJ, spin that shit!"
Jou's eyes widened as Ryou uttered one… single… word. "Drugs." He laughed quietly as Jounouchi fumed, "Seto Kaiba, you are a dead man."
"He's not a man, he's owner of Kaiba Corp." Ryou said happily, putting an arm around his friend who was looking dangerously close to foaming at the mouth and attacking someone.
"I don't care if he's God, Ryou. His ass is mine." The blonde snarled, sending Ryou into a fit of giggles.
"You do know how perverted you sound, correct?"
Jou hung his head. "Yeah. I know."
"You stare." Came a voice from the other side of Ryou, and he turned to see his look-a-like sitting on the barstool to the left of him. Now that he could get a better look, he was intrigued. His eyes were by far the most interesting thing from just looking at him. They were outlined in more than enough eyeliner, though all it seemed to do was show how worn-out and sad they looked. Of course, that was if a person were perceptive enough to look hard and see it.
"Bitchin' show tonight, Bakura!" Mai exclaimed, doing a strange handshake with the singer.
He smile up at her half-heartedly, "Thanks. For our first time playing in this club, we got a pretty good reaction from th crowd, don't you think?"
Mai nodded softly, "They loved you, Baku-Baku!"
Ryou smiled when he caught the man wincing at the nickname Mai had given him. "It's Bakura. Just… Bakura. Bakura the mental case, if you like, but always Bakura. Never in a million years will it be 'Baku-Baku.'" He shuddered.
A gasp. 'Mental cases like myself find strange reasons to laugh…' Shut up.
Mai looked utterly hurt. "Ok, sure. Want anything to drink?"
"Daiquiri."
"Ah… taking it easy, hmm? Flavor?"
"Blackberry."
He had always loved blackberries.
Who?
Him.
Ryou blinked, awakened by a hand waving around in his face. "Are you alright?"
A pair of confused brown orbs looked into the sad and concerned looking violet ones. Peculiar. They almost looked… blue?
Why couldn't he look away?
Thunk. A glass was set on the counter in front of him. "Screwdriver for your thoughts?"
He woke up, though he desperately didn't want to. Woke up from a warm feeling he had been missing for a while now.
"Ryou Bakura!" Came Mai's angry screech.
"What?" He asked, a dull look on his face. She shoved the drink over to him and went about making others. "Oh."
Bakura smiled, showing the tips of sharpened canines. "Daydreaming?" He questioned.
Ryou brought the drink to his lips and murmured into it, "No, what makes you think I was?"
"No answering a question with another question."
"I answered first, then asked you a question. It's not the same."
"Always complicated." Bakura muttered, turning towards Mai and taking his drink from her. "What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing."
He couldn't let things like that slip.
-
Lavvy: Terrible…? Horrific…? I'm sorry, no real getting into the plot this chapter. So, yeah: flame, critique, laugh, or throw angry gnomes. Remember, ANY TYPE OF FEEDBACK IS APPRECIATED!
Daisuke: Desperate…