Author Note: I really apologize for the lack of updating concerning this story. School had really drained me this year, and I felt like I had ran into brick wall with Bittersweet. I once again humbly beg for a beta-reader. My grammatical skills are horrible especially when I type. Really, I think I've once again brutally butchered the English language. Thanks for all the reviewers, this chapter is (as are all my other chapters are) dedicated to you. Anyways I hope you enjoy the fourth installment of Bittersweet.
Bittersweet
Chapter Four: Shreds of Sanity
I spent the night at Otogi's , the Ryujji Otogi, the females, and perhaps some fraction of the males in Domino will probably want to kill me now. Joy. I guess I should be more grateful that Otogi showed up when he did. I can only imagine what might have happened if I was forced to sleep in the park or if I dared to go home. I've always preferred the casual mugging to my Yami's temper. Yeah I know I'm a coward, a spineless human, believe me, I've heard it all before. Anyway the choice I made presents a very interesting dilemma I had not thought of the night before. My Yami saw me leave with Otogi in a ahem- suggestive manner. I no longer have any illusions for him caring about me, I realize now that to him I'm just pitiful real estate. However, the important thought here is: I am considered property. His property. And, ah well, I think it's safe to say Bakura doesn't share well. In fact I was trying to convince him a few weeks ago to tattoo "does not play well with other children" on his arm. "Ryou," says a voice coming from the door way, that startles me, causing Otogi to burst out laughing at my 'frighten deer look' as he has now dubbed it. sigh. I've changed my mind, dear friend, I think he surpasses your annoying hood. "So," Otogi starts after he has regained his usual composure. And promptly stops. Lying on the bed I stare at the ceiling, and wait.
"So," I answer slowly. Though I know full well what he's about to ask, but I think I'm going to make this as difficult as possible for him. This probably isn't fair, but neither is my situation, and misery loves company. Unfortunately I have conveniently forgotten that Otogi doesn't mind awkward moments, in fact I think he finds the tension exciting.
"You want to tell me about it"
" No?" I really can't deny there's a problem anymore. Or maybe I should just imply I usually go home with strange teenagers who are probably over sexed I really don't know.
"Will you tell me anyway"
"No." Then came the silence. The type of quiet that seems to sort of crush you, maybe stifle is the word I'm looking for. Otogi let's out a few chuckles surprisingly calm, and plops himself down upon the double bed.
"Jeesh Ryou, I know already okay? I over heard Yugi, and Co. talking about it at Kame game shop one day." I blink, just wanting to scream. It's a wonder that one of the Kame shop's costumers hadn't heard the sentence: "my friend is possessed by an evil Egyptian tomb robber", and sent him to a loony bin.
That would have saved me a lot of trouble really now that I think about it. For one thing half of Domino wouldn't have to know my poor excuse for a sob story. I sigh. I really don't know where this is going now, and I don't think Otogi does either so we're just lying here and I'm counting leaves that belong to a oak tree I can see through a window. It seem like it's been an hour, but it's probably closer to five minutes.
I realize now I will probably need to rely on other people for the rest of my life. God how pathetic does that sound. I will always have to rely on people like Yugi and Otogi, and what's worse everyone recognizes this and doesn't seem to tell me to friggin' get a hold of my self. "Hhmmm," said Otogi with a superior smirk on his face. He raises a hand to his chin and gives me a mockingly thoughtful look. He let's he's eyes travel down my face, and reaches out to grab my hair. "well," he says finally, "you'll have to do"
"What?" I snatch my hair back, and glare, but well- okay he's pique my interest now friend. "Rude, but we can work on that." An eyebrow is arched at me mockingly.
"What?" I almost scream.
"We're going to have to work on your vocabulary too." I open my mouth to repeat myself yet again, but I've decide that it's probably no use anyway. "Yes sir," I reply as I roll my eyes, what's he up to? He's obviously not going to tell me what's going on until he's exhausted the pleasure of tormenting me. I'm told that it can take awhile though.
"We can only have the best here at the Otogi house hold," This time I raise my eyebrows.
"I see." But I don't. I really, really don't.
"Well then you have the job."
"Job?"
"No harm in killing two birds with one stone." There is if you're the bird, but I nod anyway. Wait.
" Then it's settled." Well, no it really isn't I have no idea of what this job is. And I'm about to open my mouth and say so, but my question falls on deaf ears as Otogi gets up quickly.
"You can start today," he declares as he walks out the door. Oh…. I do not think there is even the slightest reason to pretend that I know what's going on here. So friend I will take another helping of denial. My fear of overdosing is ignored as I pull on my school uniform. I figure that it will all work out or it won't. And I'll be too dead to care.
I find myself with a new warden. No, I swear I'm being completely serious- Otogi has not left my side all day. Which means that I'm stuck with his fan girls plotting my demise while they try to politely converse with me during lunch. As Otogi smirks at my attempts to excuse myself from the afore mentioned situation without luck. He keeps ripping my excuses to shreds maliciously, and somehow makes me feel incredibly guilty at the same time. It's a gift I wish I had. This is completely ridiculous and utterly useless, Otogi had not even remember my existence until the day before, and now he tells everyone that he and I are inseparable. Jou is glaring at me like I'm some kind of traitor right now. And oh I my dear yami is probably plotting my death too. I think Jou, Otogi, and my yami should all compare notes on how to drive me insane. Or on second thought they're all doing a great job on their own. Whatever.
Otogi rises waving at his friends as they wrap up the conversation about the new line of games that Otogi is introducing in the fall. Otogi with several smiles and promises to call departs from the table. A new line of conversation is introduced which is completely devoid of anything pertaining to me. This means, well I hope this means, that I will finally get to escape too, but as I stand up I can see Otogi waiting for me at the cafeteria door, and I will have no choice but to follow him or join Yugi and Co. But it would be extremely rude to abandon Otogi after he has been so kind as to open his home up to me for an indefinite amount of time. I sigh and prepare to exit the cafeteria too. Longingly I look over at Yugi's table. I see a mop of sun bleached hair and I stop. There's Malik laughing at a infuriated Jou. I pray he doesn't look up as I turn away from the scene. For once luck is on my side and I escape without event. It seems rather unfair of Yugi to welcome him back into the group after all he did. But then I guess I really don't qualify as a member of the group. I don't think that for all the time I spent with the others, or my saved seat at their table ( which is now occupied by a certain Egyptian) ever made me an official member.
Otogi is looking at me funny as I arrive at the door. I wouldn't say it was the pitying look like the one's Yugi , Jou, and Honda give me; it's more understanding. Otogi is one of those people who isn't quite in Yugi's group too, though I think he really wants to be. We walk in silence, but it's not really awkward anymore. We stop at Otogi's locker and then mine (millennia item free luckily) before the bell rings and we leave each other . Both going directly to our respective classes.
I'm realizing that I'm more hurt then I thought I was that Yugi would just up and let Malik into their little club after he tried to corner me yesterday. I'm the first one to the biology room today, and the emptiness is a relief. I put my binder and textbooks down on my desk. I rub my temples lightly needing to regain my composure. The teacher enters and nods at me. Then I begin to write down the homework which is posted on the white board.
One by one more students file in. No members of Yugi's group are in this class. It's an honors course and the Yugi Co. prefer to put their energy into duels. The late bell rings and the teacher begins to take attendance, but is interrupted when a very pleased Malik enters the room with a note and a grin. My face immediately looks down at my desk, and I'm pretending to be very busy as the teacher reads the note, and Malik surveys the class. Luckily though, he does not have long for the teacher stands up and shakes his hand.
"This is Ishtar Malik," says Mrs. Domo. "A transfer student who is new in this school system so I hope you will all be nice to him, and help him find his way around." Then Mrs. Domo turned to look at Malik, "Why don't you take a seat by Keita, right over there.". Malik nods, and says his thanks. I don't look up as I feel his arm brush against mine as he goes to find his seat. I let out a sigh as the teacher begins our lesson on the importance of genetic equilibrium. I feel Malik's eyes on my back and I have to resist my urge to shudder. Really as if things weren't bad enough. This was going to be along semester. If things kept going the way they are I'm really not sure if I will be able to keep what little sanity I have left. Okay no shaking your head- I see you. Stop. It's really not funny. I do possess sanity, a small portion though it maybe. A shred really, that stopped me from entering my apartment last night. Survival instincts equal sanity. I'm just going to leave to ponder over that for a while.
Back at Otogi's house I celebrate the good luck which had let escape from Malik in biology, and avoid him throughout the rest of the day. After the final bell had rung Otogi had stood beside my locker waiting for me patiently, and then procured a taxi which took us back to the house without incident. After a silent cup of tea he had gone up to his room. This leaves me free to reflect on the day, and also on this mysterious job I, with all my clumsiness, delusions, and questionable sanity, am somehow qualified for.
The End ofShreds of Insanity
End note: Wow, I really don't know why that took so long to write. I'm starting work on chapter five tomorrow and have an updating plan now, so hopefully the next installment will be out musch faster. That being said my family and I are preparing to move to Japan of all place in about a month. I might be busier then I orginally thought, so i make no promises about updates. Thank you so much for reading. If there are any questions, suggestions, or comments you may reach me at Thanks again.
