Disclaimer: I don't own Yuugiou… sadly y,y

Ryu: Well it didn't take long to get reviews for the last chappy so I guess I'll go on with the next one. I'm surprised everyone like the last chapter. I hope no one minds a little more happiness.

GreyLiliy: Once again my ending got you. As for Kaiba, I figure if he's rich may as well use it. And it makes for a nice way out for some problems when writer's block pops up. Hope you like the next chappy.

Lady-Silverkiss: Glad you liked it a little at least. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do with Bakura yet but I'll worry about that later.

Adva Atreyu: Well, glad you like the cameos, I'll have to use more as I go. I'm glad you liked my rendering of Keith. And Pegasus… well, someone have to get hit with a door. And you even liked my ending. Yay.

Ryu: Well, let's get this train wreck rolling. On with chapter nine.

Chapter 9: Quiet Before the Storm

"Let's go Ryou-kun!"

"I'm coming, hang on."

Ryou quickly finished his rice before grabbing his school bag and dashing out the door, calling a loud good-bye to his father. In the month following the police incident Ryou still had yet to get used to getting out to Yami's car every morning. Since then Bakura had become gentler and more accepting towards Ryou's friends, ready to accept that he did need help. He still forgot who all the people were every now and then but didn't get nearly as angry as he used to.

"Ohayo, Yami-san, Yugi-kun," Ryou said, getting into the backseat of the car.

"Ohayo, Ryou-kun," Yugi replied chipperly, turning around in the front passenger seat. "What kept you?"

"Still getting used to this," he replied with a yawn as Yami pulled out of the driveway. He was happy he didn't have to make the long walks to and from school everyday; as well as not having to be so scared of his father's reactions to more people he couldn't remember.

Bakura had been seeking help in the past month like he said he would. So far four doctors he'd seen though all told him the same thing; in the third stage there's nothing you can do but take your medication and hope the spells become less frequent and last for shorter periods of time. At first Ryou had been worried that all the disappointments would discourage his father and make him cold and hateful again but, surprisingly, Bakura was still working at it.

"Doesn't your dad have another doctor's appointment today Ryou-kun?" Yami asked as they drove.

"Hai."

"Do you need a place to hang out after school? I'm sure Ji-chan wouldn't mind you coming over," Yugi offered.

"Thanks, but I'd rather be home when otou-san gets back," Ryou declined.

"Okay, if you're sure," Yugi said, slightly disappointed.

Ryou had been hesitant at first to tell the rest of his friends about his dad. He wanted to keep his father's illness a secret, as well as his own attempts to find silence in death. However, the friends that did know had urged him into it, said it'd be good for him to have more support, especially Malik.

"I guess we'll have to hang out at your place then," Yami stated.

"I'm not so sure about that," Ryou said.

"Too late, it's already decided," Yami said.

Ryou just sighed and nodded as the car pulled into the school parking lot. They walked into the school together, stopping to change their shoes before proceeding to their classroom.

"Hey, Ryou-kun," came a voice that stopped the pale boy and the twins.

They turned to see Mariku walking toward them, his usual biter expression stuck on his face. Behind him they could see Otogi talking with another of his friends, Ryota Kajiki. Both were laughing over something, jeering at Mariku every now and then.

"Hey there Mariku-san," Ryou said happily when the Egyptian was right in front of him.

"How are things?" Mariku asked boredly, his arms crossed over his chest.

"All right," Ryou replied. "Otou-san's seeing another doctor today."

"That's good to hear," Mariku said, the tiniest hint of a smile cracking on his face. "Well, if things get out of hand again you can give me a call." He didn't wait for a reply before turning and going back to his friends.

"Arigatou, Mariku-san," Ryou called happily after him.

"Hard to believe that's the same guy we all loathed a month ago," Yami growled as they all started walking again.

"So what's the deal, are you two friends Ryou-kun?" Yugi asked.

"I'm not sure," the pale Brit replied, sliding the classroom door open. "We never talk outside of school or hang out but he still asks how things are all the time. It's really quite troublesome to me."

"What's troublesome?" Mai asked as the three boys joined their cluster of friends.

"We're trying to figure out Mariku-san," Yugi explained.

"F'get about it," Jou declared. "That guy's a complete nut job."

"Where's Malik-kun?" Ryou asked, noticing the absence of the cute Egyptian.

"Not sure?" Mai answered.

"His brother's here but he isn't… maybe he's sick," Miho suggested.

"Mariku-san didn't mention him being sick," Yugi pointed out.

"Mariku-kun needs to be locked up for a while," Jou decided, drawing a laugh from the group.

"He doesn't need locked up, he just needs to learn to care and stop hanging around Otogi-kun."

Everyone, even the stone cold Kaiba, jumped at the sudden appearance of the dark-skinned boy. Malik smiled brightly at them all, a plastic sack held in one hand.

"Don't sneak up on me like that!" Jou exclaimed, jumping from his seat and grabbing the boy by the collar.

"Now, now, Jounouchi-kun; you wouldn't want to hurt the guy with the donuts would you?" Malik asked, still smiling brightly.

"Donuts?" Jou asked dumbly, his mouth starting to water.

Malik gave a small giggle and held up the sack he was holding to the blonde holding him.

"All right," Jou exclaimed happily, "Have a seat Malik-kun." He forced Malik down in the chair next to his before sitting back down, drool running down his chin.

The group all laughed as Malik handed them each a donut and then laughed harder when Jou choked trying to his whole. It was only after Mai had helped him sallow it down that anyone was able to talk again, Malik being the first to try; though doing so somewhat sadly.

"Ryou-kun, have you talked to Shizuka-chan lately," he asked quietly.

Ryou blushed a bit at the question. Things were still kind of awkward between the three of them, what with the bizarre love triangle they shared.

"Not really… we don't see each other much and when we do its always just small talk."

"Oh, I see…" Malik said. None of them had really talked about it since that night so he couldn't speak for the other two but he was still in love with Ryou. Still, he was too afraid of what the other two felt to come out and say his feelings still held strong.

"So what are you doing after school?" he asked, wanting to change the subject.

"Yugi-kun and Yami-san are gonna come hang out," Ryou replied. "I was gonna go to their place but otou-san has another doctor's appointment."

"That's good," Malik said. "He's he doing anyway?"

Ryou gave a heavy sigh. "As far as his condition there's no change. But he's not so cold and uncaring anymore. He's actually getting back to his old self."

"That's good to hear," Malik smiled. "I hope he gets better."

"So do I," Ryou said solemnly. "Oh, that reminds me," he said, brightening up suddenly. He turned so that he faced the rest of his friends, who were busy trying to see how many donuts Jou could eat, and said, "Mina, otou-san wanted me to invite you all to a party this weekend."

Miho's eyes brightened at the mention of a party. "A party? I love parties. What's the occasion? Is it formal attire? Should I bring a gift? Is there…"

Her friends could still hear her mumbling against Seto's lips that were pressed against hers now, anything to her quiet rambling, cute as it was. Everyone just laughed as she we on.

"So, why the party Ryou-kun?" Yugi asked when the laughter had died down.

"It was otou-san's idea," Rou admitted. "He wanted to meet and get to know my friends so he decided on party."

"Sounds great," Jou replied, a donut clasped in each hand.

"When is it?" Mai asked.

"This Saturday," Ryou replied. "And Jou-kun, could you ask Shizuka-chan to come?"

"Sure," Jou said through a mouthful of donut. "She'd love to be there."

"You can invite Mariku-san too if you want Malik-kun," Ryou added.

"Nani?" Jou exclaimed, choking on a bit of donut.

"Because he really seems nice," Ryou confessed.

"I'll tell him for you Ryou-kun," Malik said.

"Arigatou, Malik-kun."

It was then the teacher walked into the room, meaning everyone had to get to their seats as Anzu stood and yelled or everyone to bow to the sensei in that annoying voice of hers.

/AFTER SCHOOL/

"So the is the inside," Yami commented as he entered the small hose with his brother and Ryou.

"Don't be rude Yami-kun," Yugi threatened.

"I didn't say anything," Yami said, examining the place further.

"It's okay Yugi-kun," Ryou eased. "I know it's not much but it does the job"

"I suppose," Yami agreed, letting it drop.

"Let's go to my room, it's a bit more comfortable," Ryou suggested. He led the twins down the hallway after they'd taken their shoes off at the door, into the room he called his own. The gothic boys took great delight in looking at and examining all the different statues and posters that sat on shelve or hung on the walls.

"This stuff is so cool," Yugi said excitedly. He'd taken particular interest in a poster of a blue–eyed wizard wearing purple robes and armor, a green staff clutched in his hand.

"It's just a hobby of mine," Ryou said, blushing a bit.

"You RP Ryou-kun?" came Yami's voice. He was looking through the multiple gaming books stacked on Ryou's bookshelf.

"So does Yami-kun," Yugi said, not looking a poster of a vicious looking black dragon covered in what looked like red orbs coming out of its skin, the words Hakai Ryu printed across the bottom. "He really gets into that stuff."

"So do I," Ryou confessed, sitting on his bed. "My favorite's Monster World."

"Oh no," Yugi sighed.

"Really?" Yami exclaimed, something unusual for the normally came, collected teen. "Oh my god me too. I love that game. I get like so into character that I forget it's a game. What kind of character do you have Ryou-kun?"

"A… a level t-thirteen white mage," Ryou said, scared at the sudden change in Yami, cringing away from he boy a bit. "Um… what about you?"

Yami sighed in shame. "Just a level nine paladin. The only person around that plays is Kaiba-kun, and he's always busy with his work."

"He always beats you anyway," Yugi laughed, having moved onto another poster, this one of what Yugi guessed was an angel. It was a person with skin like Ryou's hair; adorn with golden wings, armor, and a golden headdress. It was shrouded in light, almost as if it was creating the light.

"I can take you out," Yami said threateningly. "You're character is only a level one monster tamer."

"So what I'm more into card games and puzzles," Yugi brushed off, examining the light creature closer.

Yami snorted.

Ryou just laughed at the brother, but was cut short by the sound of the front door closing. "Otou-san must be home," he said, jumping from the bed. He ran out into the hallway, the twins close behind, to find Bakura standing there, looking somewhat solemn. "Otou-san," he said weakly.

Bakura looked up at the boys, giving a weak smile. "Hey Ryou-kun. How's it going?"

"W… what did he doctor say?" Ryou asked fearfully.

Bakura's smile faded and he looked sadly down at the floor. "He said the same thing all the other ones said. 'Irreversible in the third stage'."

"That's all?"

"Hai."

Ryou walked to his father and put his arms around him. "Gomen nasai, otou-san."

Bakura's arms found their way around his son and his head onto the boy's shoulder, a few tears falling from his eyes. "It's not your fault Ryou-kun," he sobbed. "I just want this to go away. I want to be normal again."

"I'll be okay," Ryou said softly, trying to soothe his father while patting his back gently. "We'll find a cure, don't you worry."

Bakura looked up from his son's shoulder, his eyes growing red and glistening with tears. "Okay, Ryou-kun." He kissed is son's forehead gently, and then hugged him tighter to his own form. It was only then that he fully noticed the two forgotten, gothic boys behind Ryou. "Ryou-kun?" he said somewhat timidly. "Who are they?"

Ryou sighed and pulled away a little so he could look his father in the face; into those matching umber orbs. "They're Yami and Yugi Mutou, friends of mine. You've never met them, but they know."

"It's okay," Bakura whispered, wiping his eyes. "Welcome boys," he said as cheerfully as he could.

"It's nice to meet you Bakura-san," Yugi said timidly.

"I'm sorry about that display there," Bakura said, still sniffling and wiping his eyes.

"It's okay, we understand," Yami said.

"We could go," Yugi offered. "I mean, if you wanted to spent some time with Ryou-kun."

"No," Bakura replied. "I'm glad Ryou-kun has friends over. I want him to go ahead and have fun with them."

"Are you sure, otou-san?"

Bakura nodded at his son, his smile brightening.

"Okay," Ryou said, though not too happy about it. "But if you need something you come get me. If you can remember."

Bakura chuckled a little. "I will. I love you Ryou-kun."

"I love you too, otou-san."

He gave his father a soft kiss on the cheek before letting go and disappearing back to his room.

"He seems nice," Yugi said when they were back in Ryou's room.

The pale boy sighed and leaned against the door. "Yeah, he's changed a lot in the last month. It's been nice to have the old him back, but he sill has his disorder to drag him down."

"It'll be okay Ryou-kun," Yami said, trying to reassure him. "You've still got Kaiba-kun working on it right?"

Ryou sighed again, more heavily, and turned back to Yami. "I told him he didn't have to but I think he still works on it anyway."

"That's Seto-kun for you," Yugi commented.

"Let's not worry about it," Ryou said. "Let's do something. We could…" he got cut off by the 'Every Heart' ring tone on his phone. "Damn it," he cursed, retrieving the device from his pocket. He looked at the screen where the words 'okaa-san calling…' were visible. "It's my mom," he said, somewhat shocked. "What could she want?"

"Why not answer and find out," Yami suggested boredly, sitting down on the bed.

Ryou started to reply but decided against it and pressed talk, putting the phone to his ear. "Moshi moshi…"

"Find, thanks…"

"He's doing good…"

"No, the same, but he's started looking for help again…"

"That depends, why?"

"Nani?"

"With us?"

"Are you sure?"

"Well, I could ask him…"

"Hai, talk to you later…"

"Ja ne…"

"Are you okay Ryou-kun?" Yugi asked when the white-haired boy was silent for a while.

Ryou looked up at him, his face blank. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said flatly.

"What did you mom say?" Yami asked.

Ryou gave a false laugh, looking at Yami now. "She's moving to American but… she wants me sister to stay in Japan. She wants Amane to move in with me… and otou-san."

Ryu: Bwahahahaha. Due to the quick number of reviews and the large number of hits this fic is getting (currently 916) I decided to work hard at getting this chapter up quick. It's another pretty quick one, although not as cheerful. I hope you all enjoy it.

And, as an added bonus, being a Yugioh fic, I put a little game into this chapter. If you know your Yugioh it should be a piece of cake. Here's the game: In Ryou's room, Yugi looks at three different posters very closely. And guess what, the images on the posters are in fact Duel Monsters. So your test: be the firs to name the three Duel Monsters Yugi looks at. If you can get all three, there will be a special prize waiting or you. What is it? Wouldn't you like to know? You have until I post chapter 10 to try and win so you may have a few days, you may have a few weeks.

Anyway, I hope you liked the chapter and am anxious to see if anyone can win. I'll reveal the answers at the end of chapter ten. Ja for now.