Disclaimer: I don't own Yuugiou… sadly y,y
Ryu: Well, I can't work on my novel until my fiancée catches up on her reading to help me so I decided to work on another chappy of this story. Not exactly where I'm gonna go with this chapter so let's just get to it.
lifedoesotalwaysrule: Yay, a new reader. Glad that you enjoy my story, I hope I don't disappoint with this next chappy.
kai-sama bakura's master: Another newbie to my story. Well, you want have to use force cause I'm going on with it.
Lil' Atemu: Three new readers. Hm… your name seems familiar but there's no record of you reviewing this story before. Oh well. Anyway, glad you're enjoying it. Not many people complement my writing itself so I'm very flattered that you would say that. When I came up with the idea of the love triangle I was worried it no one else would find it as interesting as I did but so far it's done well and I'm happy you like it as well. I wasn't sure what to do about the triangle so I paired two and got this. Leaving Ryou out seemed to go best with the story and I could further the OOC-ness of Shizuka further this way as well as add new twists. And, as you mentioned, it seemed to work from Malik's angle after the night he'd had with Ryou. And then, one night just lying in bed, I got the idea to pair him up with Mariku and was like so excited; a so far everyone's enjoying as I am. As far as Ryou's grave, well, it'll be a surprise to everyone, including me.
Andyouthinkimcrazy: Ah, my loyal returning readers; only two of you left. Don't curse my Ryou-kun! He's adorable so he's allowed to be evil if he chooses. I think having him hold back his feelings will be more interesting, as will him being with Mariku. I don't know about any incest, there's still the Shizuka factor.
Lady11Occult: Still think I'm predictable? Let's see if Malik's reaction to this new match-up is as well received as everyone else's has been. Magic 8-ball says… "ask again later". Damn 8-ball.
Ryu: Okay; I have no idea where I'm going to go with this so everything that appears will be as big a surprise to me as it will be to everyone else. Let's get too it!
Chapter 16: What Next"It's getting late, I think we should all go up to bed," Kaiba announced as the night grew deeper. "There's plenty of space for you to all stay the night."
"Me and Mai already claimed our room," Jou laughed through another piece of cake.
"Shut up Jounouchi," Mai scolded, hitting the blonde boy. "Besides, shouldn't you stay with your sister?"
"But I wanted to share a room with Malik-san," Shizuka whined, causing the Egyptian boy to blush.
"No way!" Jou exclaimed, jumping at Malik and grabbing him by the collar. "I bet you talked her into it didn't you."
"Calm down onii-chan, Malik-san's been nothing but a perfect gentleman to me," his sister scolded.
"Yeah Jou, does that sound like Malik-kun?" Yami asked, trying to pull Jou off of the Egyptian boy.
Jou looked over at Yami, at the look in Yami's eye, and understood the boy's meaning. He sighed and let go of is victim. "I'm sorry Malik-kun, jus being a brother."
"It's okay Jou-kun," Malik said, rubbing his neck. "And I think Mai-san s right Shizuka-chan," he added, turning to his girlfriend. "I don't think we're far along enough to share a room. I'll stay with Mariku."
"You guys do realize we have enough rooms for everyone to sleep alone don't you?" Mokuba asked dryly.
"Come to think of it where is Mariku?" Yugi asked suddenly.
"My brother's missing too," Amane realized.
Malik's heart skipped a beat. The two of them… no, it couldn't be. Ryou was far too sweet and Mariku was so cold. The two of them wouldn't make a good pair at all. Then again opposites do attract. But still, Ryou seemed to still be lost about the whole love thing. Ryou seemed hurt whenever he saw Shizuka and Malik together so he must still have some kind of feelings for the new couple. But could he have run to Mariku for some kind of strange comfort? But then Mariku wouldn't stay with Ryou; he wasn't even into guys.
Malik groaned and put his head that had started hurting into his hand.
"Are you okay Malik-san?" Shizuka asked, concerned.
"Yeah, I just need to go to the bathroom," he said quickly, getting up from his chair a causing Shizuka to fall into it off the armrest.
He strode out of the room, passed everyone that was casing glances at him and at one another, out to the main hall. He looked around, trying to see if one of the two were sitting in there and hoping they would be apart. Finding nothing he turned to the stairs and sprinted up, his corn flour that had been neatly done now falling wildly around his face. At the top of the stairs he glanced around. There were doors down the hall to the left and doors down the hallway to the right, all closed but one.
Malik ran to that ajar door and pushed it open. Inside he was met with nothing but a bed that looked messily made and a pillow with streaks that looked like black eyeliner.
'Jou and Mai…' he thought with a shudder before turning from the room.
He heard another door creaking open down the hall and he peaked his head out to see Ryou walking out into the hall, stretching his arms over his head.
He started to exit the room when he heard a familiar voice ask: "Do you feel better now?" and he hid back in the room.
"I do, thanks for that," Ryou replied to the voice, turning back to the doorway. "It was really nice of you. I only wish Malik-kun and I could've done that. I guess he and Shizuka probably will sooner or later."
Malik covered his mouth to stifle a gasp, not sure what was going on but his mind assuming the worse. 'They didn't did they? Ryou said he wished we could've so that must means they didn't but then what? And who is he talking to?' Malik knew the voice but in his mind it didn't belong to who he thought, it just couldn't.
"So, are you sure you're okay with this?" he heard Ryou ask. "What will you're friends say?"
"They'll make fun of me," the voice answered. "But I think they're a little scared of me, so nothing more than that."
Ryou giggled a little at whoever it was. "I would think your friends would know you better than that," he said. "Know that you're actually quite nice."
"Actually I try to keep that fact from them," the voice replied.
Ryou giggled again. "Well, let's head back downstairs. I wonder if they've notice us not being there." His voice was getting closer
Malik withdrew into the room and hid behind the door. He waited until Ryou walked by and then his heart froze as his suspicions were confirmed. Ryou was holding into Mariku's arm, looking happily at the taller Egyptian. Malik held his breath until the two had passed, and then peaked out at them at the top of the stairs. They were in each other's arms somewhat, Ryou staring up into Mariku's eyes.
"I'm glad to have someone like you Mariku-san," Ryou said with a small smile. "I know us being together isn't exactly what we were both wanting, but it still makes me happy that I have you."
Mariku even smiled the slightest bit now. "And I guess it's kind of nice to know I have someone there for me too. I can't call it love but… I think I really care about you Ryou."
"I think we feel the same," the pale boy admitted. "But, at least right now, I think that's all I really need."
"Me too," Mariku smiled. Then, to Malik's horror, he leaned down and gave Ryou a soft kiss. Fortunately he only placed it on Ryou's forehead, causing the boy to cringe in a shy, cute way and giggle. Then he put his arm around the boy and led him down the stairs back to the main hall where everyone waited.
"Ryou-kun," Yugi gasped, being the first to see when he walked into the room, a sour looking Mariku with his arms crossed over his chest following. "Where have you been?"
"I just needed to lay down for a while," Ryou waved off.
"With him?" Jou asked, pointing behind Ryou.
Ryou glanced back at Mariku and then quickly began shaking his hands frantically while trying to explain, "Oh no, it's not what you think. We weren't… I mean we were… he was… Hey," he stopped and scanned the group. "Where did Malik-kun go?"
"He said he was going to the bathroom so I guess he's upstairs," Shizuka said somewhat awkwardly. "There he is."
A blank-looking Malik came slowly into the room.
"Find the bathroom okay?" Mokuba asked the boy.
"Heh…" was the almost reply.
"Well, I'm ready for bed," Ryou said quickly, faking a yawn and a stretch. "Are we ready to go Yami-san, Yugi-kun?"
"You missed the announcement," Mai cut in. "Kaiba's invited us all to stay the night. We were just trying to figure out who sleeps where."
"I'll settle it," Kaiba spoke up. "Miho in my room, everyone else do whatever. I'm tired." He took Miho by the hand and they left the room, heading up the stairs.
"Me and Mai picked our room already," Jou laughed, earning a slap on the back of the head from his girlfriend.
"Can I stay with Mokuba-kun onii-san?" Amane asked her sister.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Ryou said nervously.
"Why not?" the girl asked sadly, causing the teens to all look nervously at each other and Mokuba to turn a faint red.
"He means cause you're a girl and I'm a boy, who is also two years older," Mokuba told her. "He's nervous something could happen, even though we're so young."
"Yeah Ryou, what are you thinking you pervert?" Jou teased.
"Shut up," the pale boy shouted before looking back at his sister and Mokuba. "Boy and girls aren't supposed to stay together if they're not related."
"But Jou-san and Mai-san are going to," she pointed out. "And Kaiba-san said he was going to sleep with Ribbon-san."
"He said that in front of you?" Ryou exclaimed while everyone else, save for Malik, began to laugh loudly.
"I think its time for the talk, huh Ryou-kun," Jou laughed, nudging Ryou.
"She's too young for that," he replied.
"Ryou-san, I can assure you she'll be safe," Mokuba spoke up. "There's bunk beds so we'll be separated. And I'll make sure we don't stay up too late." For an eleven-year-old he was very mature.
Ryou sighed with defeat. "Okay, I guess my own room again will be nice. Not that I mind sharing one with you nee-chan," he adding quickly.
"Well, this has been fun," Mariku said boredly. "I'm going up to bed."
"I'm coming with you," Malik said quickly. "I want to share the evening with you dear brother, maybe have a little talk."
Ryou looked nervously over at Mariku who only shrugged and continued to head out of the room and up the stairs. Ryou sighed, figuring he wouldn't have been any help.
"But Malik-san, I wanted a room with you," Shizuka half-whined.
"No way, that's final," Jou said putting his foot down.
"Onii-chan…"
"I really want to stay with Mariku," the younger of the Egyptians said.
"You all figure it out," Yami said. "Me and Yugi are staying together so we're going to bed now. Good night."
The twins left and, after a little more squabbling, everyone else followed. Jou and Mai returned to their room from before and closed the door anxiously, Malik walked Shizuka to the door of an empty room and said his good night to her before going to find Mariku, and Ryou walked his little sister and Mokuba to the young boy's room.
"If anything happens to her," Ryou warned.
"Don't worry, it'll be okay," Mokuba assured him.
"I still don't see what the big deal is," the naïve little girl said.
"I'll tell you in a few years," Ryou promised her. Then he kissed her forehead and said good night before the door closed. Sighing he began to wonder the wall in search of an empty room. He came across one and entered it; quickly realizing it was the room he and Mariku had napped in a little while ago. He smiled and figured Mariku had left it open intentionally; if Malik was going to say with him he might find one of Ryou's hairs or something and get more suspicious.
"I wonder how Malik would take it if he knew?" he said to himself as he crawled into the bed. Despite the nap not long ago he was still tired. "I wonder…" he said as he drifted off to sleep, "does this mean Mariku-san is my… boyfriend?"
"Are you Ryou-kun's boyfriend?" Malik asked his brother for the thousandth time since arriving in the room.
"Shut up, I'm tired," the older Egyptian growled. He was lying in the bed, having taken his shirt off.
Malik pounded his fists against the bed and began pacing out of frustration again. The room was silent for a while. Finally Malik sighed. "I saw you two."
Mariku, who was almost asleep, opened his eyes a little and looked at his brother. "What ever do you mean?"
"You kissed him."
"Only his forehead."
"So you admit something's going on between you two." He strode over to the bed and bent low over his older brother. "What happened between you two?" he growled.
Mariku's temper flared and he pushed his brother away, sitting up off the bed. He got up and stormed around the furniture to come face to face with his younger sibling. "You really want to know?" he asked darkly. "Ryou loves you. He was going to be with you but before he could tell you, you went and hooked up with Jou's sister. But he thinks its what you want; thinks the two of you will be ever happy so he steps aside. And when I offer him a little comfort he asks me to be with him. He doesn't love me, but he doesn't want to be alone. So I'll be there for him while you pal around with that little girl."
"Well you won't have to," Malik said angrily. "I love Ryou and he loves me. I'm breaking up with Shizuka and telling Ryou how I feel." He reached for the door and Mariku grabbed his hand.
I can't let you do that little brother," he said. "Ryou is with me. I wouldn't go as far as to call him my boyfriend but he's pretty close."
"You're not even into boys," Malik shouted. "And you don't love him like I do."
"No and no," Mariku agreed. "But, unlike you, I care about him enough to make sure he doesn't get hurt anymore. I'm going to protect Ryou in any way necessary."
Malik threw his brother's hand away. "He doesn't want you," Malik yelled. "He's just hiding from his pain in you."
For his words the boy received a hard punch to the stomach, knocking the wind from him and dropping him to his knees. "Ryou is with me," Mariku repeated, looking down at his brother. "I don't love him and he doesn't love me; but I like having someone there for me. And in return I'm not going to let you, or anyone else, hurt him anymore." That said he took his shirt from the chair he'd tossed it on and left to look for Ryou's room.
"Ryou…" Malik gasped to get out wit tears falling from his eyes, "How… could you…"
(THE NEXT MORNING)
"Why didn't you stay in the room with Malik?" Ryou asked, stretching in the sunlight that was coming through the window of the mansion's room. "He's gonna be curious when he wakes up and you're not there."
"You wish I hadn't come then?" Mariku asked dryly, sitting up in bed and looking down at the pale boy.
"It's not that," Ryou said, a slight blush on his face. "I'm happy you came but I'm scared of how Malik will react when/if he finds out we're… whatever we are."
Mariku only huffed ad got out of the bed. He stretched his arms over his head while saying, "He's going to find out sooner or later." He felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist and smiled slightly. "He won't take finding out well at all."
"I know," Ryou sighed, nuzzling the dark skin of Mariku's back. "It's so nice to have someone to hold."
"You can't hold me forever," Mariku mused.
"I can try," Ryou replied. "It could be nice."
"No, I mean you can't hold onto me forever," the older boy elaborated. "Not unless you want Malik to find us like this."
"Oh, right," Ryou said quickly, letting Mariku go. "I'm sorry."
"You're pretty cute when you're absent minded," Mariku told him, pulling his shirt back on. He walked to the door and put his hand on the knob. "I'll see you downstairs," he said before leaving the room.
Ryou fell dreamily back onto the bed. He didn't know what it was, he knew it wasn't love, but it was nice. He waited a while until he was more awake and then got up, got dressed, and left the room to get his sister.
"Were you guys good?" he asked the children nervously.
"Of course, what do you think?" Mokuba asked furiously.
"Well you are my brother," Seto laughed as we walked by with a strangely satisfied-looking Miho.
'Wonder what they were up to,' Ryou thought sarcastically.
"Can I come play with Mokuba-kun more often onii-san?" Amane asked as her bother escorted her and Mokuba down to breakfast.
"I guess so," he replied, glad his sister had a friend.
Ahead of them Jou and Mai were coming out of a room, both looking tired and messy.
"You two are shameless," Ryou said flatly.
"Guess I'll have the maids clean up your room first," Mokuba added, hitting himself in the forehead.
Jou and Mai just chuckled and rubbed the back of their heads.
"Morning everyone," Yugi chirped, coming out of his room with his brother.
"Why is Yugi-san wearing lipstick?" Amane asked innocently.
Everyone raised a brow and looked at the dwarfed boy. His lips did look a little red but before anyone could say anything he blurted out, "I'm starving," and rushed down the stairs.
With him gone they all turned their attention to the taller twin.
Yami rubbed the back of his head nervously. "Well… um… Wait for me Yugi," he called before chasing after him.
"You don't think…" Jou started.
"Ew… I don't want to know," Mai shuttered.
"What are they talking about onii-san?" Amane asked.
Ryou sighed, exasperated by his friends' constant innuendoes and references to adult acts around his sister. "I think when otou-san gets back the three of us need to have a long talk." It was then that Ryou realized he hadn't thought about his dad in a while. He wondered if his treatment was going well, if they had found out anything. The thought was pushed from his mind though when he and his friends entered the large dinning room where Seto, Miho, the Mutou twins, the Ishtar brothers and Shizuka were all seated.
"Are you sure you're not hungry Malik-san?" Shizuka asked her boyfriend next to her while the group came in.
"No thank you, Shizuka-chan," he said absently. "I'm not really hungry"
Ryou felt uneasy about hearing that. He wanted to sit next to Mariku but decided it would be a bad idea and instead took a seat between his sister and Yugi, who blushed and began to eat his breakfast more hastenedly.
The rest of breakfast as like any other get-together amongst the friends. They ate, talked, laughed, Jou choked on his food and Mai scolded him, but Ryou was very uneasy. He could see the sadness in Malik's eyes and wonder if something had happened. What if Mariku already had told him? That thought had been running circles in his mind since they'd walked into the room but if Mariku had already told Malik why hadn't he told Ryou that he'd told? Was he trying to keep Ryou from worrying about his little brother? What if Mariku wasn't really interested in Ryou and was just trying to hurt Malik through this? Or what if Mariku really did care for Ryou deeper than he was letting on and had told Malik the truth to lay down the law to him? What if Ryou was just being paranoid and none of this was happening at all?
Ryou let is head fall down to the table; it was aching with his muddled and melding thoughts that threatened to make his head explode.
"Onii-chan, you're getting your hair in your pancakes," Amane whispered to him, though everyone else noticed.
They all began to laugh as Ryou began banging his head, causing syrup to splatter a little. After breakfast Ryou went up to take a quick shower and wash the syrup from his hair while the others retired to the living room to further the socializing. The hot water was relaxing and the solitude gave him time to think and clear his head a bit.
'I guess I didn't really think things through when I decided to be with Mariku but I don't want to interfere with his and Shizuka's relationship. Why shouldn't I be with someone while they're together? Then again, I did push them both away because I said I nee space and now I'm running to someone new. Malik-kun's brother no less. But I had figured it all out and was going to pick Malik-kun until I found out Shizuka-chan got to him first. I was going to pick but they didn't want to wait so why shouldn't I pick someone new. I have that right and I found someone willing. Still, I know Malik won't take it well. And we can't hide it from him forever, not if we want to have a regular relationship. But then Mariku-san isn't even my boyfriend. What is he? What am I to him?'
He shook his head out of frustration while turning off the water. "This is making my head hurt," he mumbled as he dried himself off. He dressed quickly and went back down to join everyone.
"So how long is this party going to last?" Jou was asking when Ryou came back into the room and took a seat in a chair near Mariku's.
"You people are still here?" Kaiba asked dryly.
"Is that any way to show thanks for your closest friends who went out of their way to throw you a party?" Jou shouted.
Kaiba only laughed. "It was nice and all but don't you all think you've overstayed your welcome?"
"Kaiba's right, we probably should get going," Yugi agreed.
"We're friends, our welcome is never overstayed," Jou tried to argue.
"It is when I've got an important meeting to get ready for," Kaiba said, still flatly.
Everyone sighed and began saying their good-byes, heading for the front door. Ryou held back though, as did Mariku.
"You want to talk about something don't you?" the Egyptian asked the pale boy when they were alone.
"I do but maybe not now," Ryou replied. "I was wondering if we could meet later today, somewhere that Malik-kun won't catch us."
"I guess that's a better idea," Mariku agreed. "I'll give you a call in a few hours then. I want to go home and clean up first."
Ryou nodded and wrapped his arms lightly around the older boy. He sighed contently when he felt Mariku return the hug but something nagged at his mind and he had to ask. "Mariku-san?"
"There's no need for the ending," Mariku told him.
Ryou blushed a little. "Oh… um… Mariku… Malik's been acting weird today. Did you tell him anything?"
"We'll talk later," Mariku said in a tone that sounded final.
Ryou wanted to press the matter on but decided against it. "Okay," he agreed, letting Mariku go. "I'll talk to you later."
"Bye for now." With that Mariku left from the room and exited the mansion to wait for his ride.
Ryou went to find his sister who, apparently, wanted to stay and play with Mokuba more.
"Don't you have to go to that meeting too Mokuba-kun?" the pale boy asked. "You are the vice-president aren't you?"
"I am but nii-sama never makes me go unless it's something really important," the young boy said, waving off the idea. "And I'll have someone drive her home later."
"Please onii-san," Amane begged.
Ryou chuckled a little. "Come home with me for now to take a bath and change your clothes," he suggested. "Can you send someone to get her from the Kame Game Shop?"
"No problem," Mokuba said. "Just give me a call when she's ready. Here's my number." He handed Ryou a business card.
'Wow, he has his own business cards,' Ryou thought, putting the card in his pocket.
"See you later Mokuba-kun," Amane called as she left with her brother to join Yami and Yugi. "What are you gonna do without me though onii-san?" she teased her brother as they walked.
"I'm gonna go hang out with M… someone later," he replied. "I think I'll take a nap first though when we get home."
"Good for you onii-san," Amane chirped. "You were sad for the last wee or so. I'm happy you're going out with someone."
Ryou blushed a little at the phrase. He knew she hadn't meant it like that, didn't even know it could be meant like that, but it was still nice to hear and he began to wonder again, 'Are me and Mariku-san… er… Mariku, really going out?'
Ryu: Okay, I know this chapter wasn't the best. I was really just trying to get it done. I'm not really sure where to take the story next (hence the chapter title). I have some ideas for things I want to happen but I'd like to wait until chapter 17 or 18, maybe even 19, before I go into any of those things. So, for the time being, if anyone has something they want to see happen feel free to let me know in a review and, provided i doesn't interfere with what I'm plannng for later, I'll take it into consideration for the next chapter. That's the only way another chapter will be up soon. Without an idea I'm gonna put my efforts into a new fic I'm going to start and, if my fiancée ever gets a break and can help me, my novel as well. So if you want more of this story soon then lend me a hand. Until then, I'm spent.
R&R plz