Chapter 12:

March 20 2002,

I haven't seen or talked to Ryou Bear all weekend...ever since our fight on Friday at the dance. It's about six thirty now and I'm having trouble waking up, so I thought that I should write to clear my mind. Today I will be seeing Ryou bear and hopefully work this out. I feel so bad for yelling at him like that...

I mean, he was only trying to help me. And I really don't want to see that Rodnie girl...she needs an attitude adjustment and I'm all to willing to give it to her!

I go in for another check up tomorrow...hopefully everything will be alright and I can get off this Chemo! I really want my hair back, to run my hands through it and not worry about weather or not the breeze is going to make it fly off or not.

I still can't believe that Rodnie girl knew it was a wig. How could she know? Does she own one herself? Isn't that how?

I just can't believe that it was that noticable...I and my mother searched high and low for a wig that matched the same color as the other and was in curls. Maybe because it looked so pretty that it looked unreal...Who knows...well I better get ready for school...I really don't want to go, but I need to talk to Ryou bear...and fix everything between us...

-Zozo

Ryou quickly turned the page. He knew what was coming next, what would be written on the next page.

"No, I don't want to read this part..." Ryou muttered to Bakura who was leaning over his shoulder, waiting for him to start reading.

"Oh come on Ryou! It can't be that bad can it?" He asked while squinting at the Japanese characters on the pale paper.

"You should know, you were there!" Ryou shot as he shoved his Yami's face away from his neck.

"Oh, that's what's coming next...I see..." Bakura sat back on his heels and grinned.

"I was awesome wasn't I?" he asked while clapping his hands together. Ryou rolled his eyes then turned back to the journal.

Later

I'm so...what's the word I'm looking for? Shaken up? That's good enough. Today was...weird...

I walked to the bus stop, my hands shoved into my pockets, looking down at my feet. I was afraid of how my day was going to start off...I didn't know what to expect. I looked up for a second and caught a glimpse of fluffy white hair, blowing in the breeze. My heart skipped a beat and I froze. I didn't know how I was going to talk to Ryou...I didn't even know if he wanted to listen. I did kind of hurt him. I felt my stomach knot up and twist in pain. This was my moment to make it all better. To fix the wrong. But my legs wouldn't move. They wouldn't take those simple ten steps up to him. So I stood there like a deer caught in head lights. Wondering what will happen between us.

I sat there for a good ten minutes till the bus pulled up and opened its doors. I cursed myself for being so stupid and wimpy, then climbed on as well. I walked down the small Isle and noticed all seats to be full...except Ryou's. I felt my stomach knot up again as I neared it.

"Um...Ryou can I sit here?" I asked, hoping I wouldn't get the rejection I was expecting. Instead, he just scooted over, not saying a word. I swallowed, trying to rid myself of the lump in my throat. I sat next to him, stiff and silent. Afraid to move, just in case I accidentally bumped into him.

Finally the bus stopped in front of the school, and everyone jumped to their feet. Including me. I was happy once I was off the bus and felt the cool air blow around me. I looked around me, trying to find a familiar face. Someone I could cling to while I was still fighting with Ryou. I've never left Ryou before, so this would be difficult. Everywhere I went, it was with Ryou. I did everything with him. He was my only close friend, and without him, I was a loner.

I thought about hanging with Yugi and his gang, but I knew that's where Ryou would go. Back to them. So, I heaved a sigh, and just trudged to my first class.

When I walked into the room, I noticed Rodnie right away, sitting in the corner with her little gang of girl friends, all giggling over something pathetic no doubt. Seto, who sits right behind me, was tapping away at his computer, not even glancing down at his hands. I shook my head in amazement, then took my seat. I tensed up a little as Ryou walked in. I didn't understand. What was he doing in my class?

He walked up to my teacher then took a seat beside the door. It looked like he was making up a test for another class...I'm not too sure.

I tried my best to pay attention to the teacher and my work. But Ryou's bobbing white hair caught my eye often. My heart began to beat faster with worry and I felt my mouth go dry. I didn't want us to fight anymore. I wanted to jump up and scream my apology

"Ok class...we have ten minutes of free time. Feel free to move around and talk." my teacher placed down her chalk then smiled, making half the class cheer with joy.

I didn't want to move, or talk to anyone. Except for with Ryou. But I and he were in a fight. So I pulled out my book and began to read. And I must say, if you don't read it right, the joy luck club can be very confusing.

I had just moved onto my second page, when a shadow loomed over me. "Hello Nozomi." A familiar, yet plastic voice said. I slowly looked up, trying to give Rodnie the best glare I could.

"Yes...may I help you with something?" I asked, raising an eye brow. Rodnie gave a large smile, flashing off her big white straight teeth.

"Oh, me and my friends just wanted to talk...you looked lonely." She took a seat beside me, tilting her head to the side to have a better look of my face. "I'm sorry...my book is more interesting." I retorted, turning a page for emphases. I could see Rodnie's smile vanish and be replaced with a frown. I smiled to myself then waved my hand at her lazily.

"Now, please. Shoo fly don't bother me..." My smile grew as her frown deepened. "Bitch!" She growled under her breath. Her hand darted out so fast, that I didn't have time to duck or smack it away.

My wig flew off my head and into the air, landing on the floor in a mass of curls.

Gasps filled the room as my bald head was exposed. Rodnie sucked in her breath, then held it there with her hand. I pushed my seat back, and rushed towards my wig, hoping to cover my nude head with it before anyone said anything.

"You're...b-bald?" You could tell Rodnie was trying to hold back a laugh. Her voice was cracking with amusement.

I bent over, trying to grab my wig while holding back tears, but one of Rodnie's friends stepped on it instead, dragging it away from my reach. "Give it back!" I shouted, tears burning at my lids.

"Nozomi is bald?"

"She's old!"

"I can see my face in her head!"

I could hear the voices of my class mates, ringing in my head. Kaiba's tapping stopped and he looked up from his work. I could feel everyone's eyes on me. Except Ryou's. I glanced over at him, and he was looking down at his hands, clutching them together in a tight grip. How I wanted him to comfort me, and make this torment stop.

I felt my body go numb, cold with fear. Everyone around me was smiling and laughing amongst themselves. "Give me back my hair!" I shouted, glaring back at the brunet holding it beneath her foot.

"No badly!" She picked it up and waved it in the air, above her head.

"Hey Rodnie...you always wanted curls right?" the wig was tossed over my head, to the hands of Rodnie. Rodnie smiled and placed it on her head. "How do I look?" she posed, placing a hand on her hip, the other primping the wigs strands of hair.

The class erupted into a fit of giggles. "Hand it over!" I gritted my teeth and took a step towards Rodnie. She just gave a mock gasp, then smiled and tossed it over my head once more. Why wasn't the teacher doing anything? It appears she stepped out of the room while I was absorbed in my book.

I ran from one person to the next, trying to catch my hair. The class now was screaming with laughter, holding their sides as if they would split. I didn't know what to do, and the laughter was ringing in my ears. Why wasn't anyone stopping it?

Just as I was thinking this, an arm darted out and caught the wig above Rodnie's head. "That isn't very nice!" Seto growled, glaring down at Rodnie. I heaved a heavy sigh then gave Seto a grateful glance. But I'm still wondering what took him so long. He shoved passed Rodnie then briskly strode up to me.

"Here..." he snuggly fitted the wig back onto my head, then turned on his heel, returning back to his laptop. I couldn't help but smile. It appeared Seto did have a kind side to him.

"Hey baldy...this isn't over!" Rodnie snarled

In a way, I feel upset that Ryou did nothing...he just sat there, watching it all happen. Well, to continue on with my horrible day. At lunch I just stood there, watching as others walked off in their little groups, talking about the littlest things. It made me think about me and Ryou bear, and how we would get all worked up about duel monsters and who we thought was a good actor or not.

I knew then that I had to make up with him. Maybe for selfish reasons. I just didn't want to be alone. I wanted him to be there with me, by my side, holding my hand and talking about which dueling card was his favorite. Just the thought about him made me smile. The way his little brown eyes would sparkle with delight every time we talked about England, his home country. Or the way he ate his food, in small tiny bites and in little proportions. I knew then that I couldn't live without him. That he had become the center of my life.

I turned on my heel, heading for Ryou. Wanting to hug him close and tell him I was sorry. Sorry for ever being stubborn and hard headed. For always pushing him into daring and crazy things. I could feel my courage welling up inside of me. I knew what I had to do, and I was willing to do it.

I was about 20 feet away from Ryou and his gang when someone grabbed me from behind. "Hey baldy."

I twisted my head to the side, to give Rodnie the deadliest glare I could muster. I wasn't at all feeling to kind towards her. After she knocked off my wig and played monkey in the middle with it.

"What the hell do you want!" I asked, biting out each word with such venom my body began to shake from it. Anger was surging through my veins, making me lose all senses in my head.

"Don't talk to me like that, Ms. Baldy." Rodnie snipped out, giving her "I'm better then you" smile." I wanted so badly to smack that look off her face, but Ryou's voice caught my attention. I turned back towards him and smiled, watching him laughing with Yugi and his friends.

"Look at me!" Rodnie shouted, turning my face back to meet hers. My smile vanished and I glared at her. "Let me go." I narrowed my eyes at her, hoping she would catch my meaning. But she just smiled and turned to look at her five other, rather large girlfriends.

"But Nozomi...we want to play a game with you." She gave that annoying smile again, showing off those large beaver teeth of hers.

"I don't want to play any games with you Rodnie..." I began to wiggle from her hold, only to find that she had a rather strong grip. Either that or I was boney and frail from Chemo. She dug her long manicured nails into my shoulder, and smiled when she felt me wince in pain.

"Come on Nozomi...you'll enjoy this game." She gave a sly smile, and tried to drag me away. But instead, I planted my heels into the cement and tugged backwards, feeling the searing pain in my shoulders.

"No!" I screamed. A hush fell around me, and I knew I had ruined her plans. Her whole plan was to take me somewhere where no one would see or hear.

"I will not let you bully me Rodnie! I will not let you harass me any longer!" I tugged free and began to walk away from her. "Stupid plastic bitch!" I shouted over my shoulder. Ryou, now looking at me, rose from his seat.

"Nozomi...what are you doing here?" before I could reach him, or get my words out of my mouth I was tugged backwards once again and slammed into a wall. "Stupid bald bitch!" Rodnie's fist connected with my cheek bone, catching me by surprise. I fell into the wall, trying to hold my self up. I could hear Ryou's voice in the background, screaming my name. Children crowded around us, chanting the wonderful old chant, 'fight fight fight.'

No one would get the teachers, because then that would ruin their entertainment. I took another blow, this time to my chin, causing me to bite down on my cheek. I could feel and taste the blood filling my mouth. "This is for at the dance!" She shouted, landing a blow to my stomach.

"This is for the name calling!" This time to my shoulder.

"And this...this is for taking Ryou from me!" She raised her fist into the air, and I dazedly watched it. As if it was in slow motion. It slowly came down, aiming for my nose, to break it I suppose. I closed my eyes, not wanting to be there, not wanting to feel the pain anymore. Seconds turned to minutes and her fist never fell. I dazedly opened my eyes, only to gasp in astonishment.

"Ryou!" I choked out. The sun glared into my eyes, making it hard for me to see. All I could manage to make out was white fluffy hair, outlined with golden light. Ryou gripped Rodnie's wrist, twisting it harshly till she fell to her knees whimpering.

"Bitch!" he muttered, bringing back his foot and planting a swift kick to her side. "Ryou!" She screamed. A low, evil laughter emitted from his throat, and I knew then that is was not Ryou. Not my gentle Ryou bear, but my evil demon Bakura. Just as I was thinking this, and nodding off into nothingness, Ryou pushed himself through the crowd and knelt beside me.

"Oh my goodness...Zozo...are you alright?" He brushed my bloody hair out of my face and stared down at me. I tried mumbling to him but couldn't make sense of the words running through my head. I did manage to smile however and reach up and stroke his hair.

"I-I-I'm S-S-S-Sorry Ryou B-B-Bear." I managed to choke out, giving a cough. I looked over his shoulder, watching will happiness as Bakura began to punch Rodnie sense less, straddling her stomach as he did so.

"Bakura." I grinned, still staring at him and his flying fists. Ryou glanced over his shoulder and frowned. "Even though I oppose violence...she disserved it!" He turned his attention back to me, linking his arms under mine and dragging me to my feet.

"Come on Zozo...let's get you to the nurse's office." He took one of my arms and placed it over his shoulders, wrapping his free hand around my waist. I looked up and smiled as I saw the blush tinting his cheeks.

"You are so adorable Ryou." I whispered, loving the way his face kept turning darker and darker. I turned away and heaved a heavy sigh. "Now is the best time...I'm sorry Ryou...It was all my fault. I know that you were just trying to help. It's just...it's me...It's not you. I'm the one that is stubborn and likes to take care of herself...please forgive me?" I was scared to look up at him, but couldn't help it. I looked up anyways. He paused in his tracks and stared down at his feet.

"I accept your apology Zozo..." he then looked up, a smile on his face. "You know...Bakura is still beating the snot out of Rodnie...should we stop him?

And reader, I know this may sound evil of me. But I chuckled then shook my head.

"Nah...Let Bakura have all the fun he wants. He's having a good time, and that's all that matters."

-Nozomi

"Oh ya! I'm bad, I'm bad, and I'm bad! I beat the living snot out of her didn't I?" Bakura puffed out his chest and gave an evil laugh. Ryou frowned at first then broke into a grin. "Yes Bakura...even though she ended up in the hospital and I got in trouble...it was all worth it."

Ryou nodded down at the book, as if it was Nozomi. "It was all worth It Zozo..."

Bakura tilted his head to the side and stared at his hikari as he smiled down at the diary. "Um...Ryou? Are you expecting an answer anytime soon?" Bakura raised a white brow, still staring at his dunce aibou.

Ryou glanced up and shook his head. "No...Just...talking to myself...in a way."

Bakura snorted. "ok, it's one thing when you're talking to me, because In a way I am you...but when you're talking to...yourself, well...That's some freaky mental shit right there!"

Ryou shook his head and gave a exasperated sigh.

"Yami's." he muttered under his breath.

Ok, I'm sorry it took me so long to update...but I've been mega busy and I didn't have time to review this chapter, so there might be some spelling errors and mess ups. I just got back from Hawaii and I've been working on my garden. I'm leaving once again, this time to Las Vegas...Something I do every year...I go to see my grandparents. So, anyways, sorry for keeping you waiting...Just wanted to let you know I'm not dead...Yet...heh heh! Hope you enjoyed this chapter...and I felt it was kind of...rushed...but that's just me...any who...ciao!

Oh and if you haven't noticed, I changed my screen name, due to the fact me and Kiesha can't share a screen name anymore...so I decided to change it to YunieRyou..heh heh!