Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh! belongs to Kazuki Takahashi.
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#9: The Hermit

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"Bakura-kun?"

Ryou blinked and glanced over at the door to the classroom, before giving Yuugi a smile. "Hi!"

"Hi," Yuugi said. "Um . . . aren't you going to eat lunch with us?"

"Oh . . ." Ryou mumbled. "I. . . ."

Yuugi, still leaning around the doorframe, added: "It'd be great if you did. Jounouchi-kun's skipped again, so it's kind of . . . it'd be nice to have you there."

Ryou tilted his head slightly and half-smiled. "I thought you'd be happy to eat lunch alone with Anzu-chan."

"Eheh," Yuugi said, looking away and scratching the back of his head. "It's not like . . . it's only us . . . Honda-kun's here too. . . ."

Ryou glanced back at his desk and the notebook still open on it, the margins filled with recently-made doodles. A moment later Yuugi stepped into the room, letting his hand fall. "It's just . . . you've been kinda distant the past week." He gave Ryou a concerned look. "Are you sure you're not still sick? Did you see a doctor?"

"No." Ryou shook his head and gave Yuugi a reassuring smile. "I'm fine -- I've just been distracted with some things lately." He stood. "But yes, I'd be glad to eat lunch with you. Are you guys in the cafeteria?"

"Nope," Yuugi said, turning to the door slightly as Ryou picked up his case. He'd glued the handle back together and reattached it the same night it broke. "It's a pretty nice day out, so we're eating over by the gym."

"Ah," Ryou replied.

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The silence while they walked to the gym felt slightly awkward, so Ryou tried to think of something to say. Finally he just picked up something Yuugi had mentioned earlier.

"Wasn't Jounouchi-kun in class today?"

"Uh-huh," Yuugi agreed.

"Then . . . is he skipping the rest of the day?" Ryou asked, vaguely confused.

"Oh! No," Yuugi clarified. "I meant that he left campus for lunch again. He's been eating with Mai-san a lot."

"Ahhh," Ryou nodded. "I see."

Yuugi raised an eyebrow. "I don't remember Jounouchi-kun ever skipping school except once. . . ." Yuugi grinned. "And even if he wanted to, I don't think Mai-san would let him."

Ryou laughed quietly as they turned the corner, and Yuugi waved to Anzu and Honda sitting by the wall.

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They'd finished lunch and were putting all the trash into one box when Ryou said, "Oh, Honda-kun. Could I talk to you about something?"

Honda flashed him a warning look that disappeared a half-second later as he said, "Sure. See you guys in class," he told Yuugi and Anzu.

"Bye!" Yuugi said cheerfully.

They left the two behind, and walked back to the main building in silence. Ryou twisted the handle of his case before making himself stop.

Once they reached the back steps, Honda slid his hands in his pockets and turned to face him. "What did you want already?" he demanded.

"Why hasn't the scar healed?" Ryou asked.

Honda didn't need to ask what he was talking about. "It won't."

Ryou blinked. ". . . Ever?"

"Nope. It's the last permanent scar you're going to have."

"Oh," Ryou said quietly, staring at the ground. A moment later he said hesitantly, "And why did you . . . there. . . ?"

Honda snorted. "Because it's permanent, moron. It had to be somewhere inconspicuous."

"Oh."

Neither of them spoke for several seconds, and finally Honda turned to go inside. Ryou glanced up. "Where's yours?" he asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

Honda tensed underneath his jacket. "Shut up," the brunet snarled, taking the steps two at a time.

Ryou blinked at his retreating form as Honda stormed into the school.

(Interesting,) Bakura said for him.

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Jounouchi tore into class two minutes late, panting like he'd run the whole way through the building. Honda tripped him as he jogged to his desk.