Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh! is the intellectual property of Kazuki Takahashi
Author's Comments: Well here ya go, part 2. You'll have to excuse if it reads kinda weird around the entries, they were written before the story and then had to be stuck in when the story itself got written.
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Journal Surprise – part 2: Implementing the Daring Deed
By Friday, Yugi had somehow managed to coerce the entire group to participate in his experiment. In the end, it had been Seto who had been most difficult to convince that this would not somehow irreversibly damage his reputation. Ryou had hastily agreed to Yugi's plan, dragging Bakura with him, who felt if he had to suffer so should Marik and Marik had brought Malik with him so that on Friday after school, the entire group ended up at Kaiba's mansion, sitting in the living room in a circle of chairs waiting for Yugi to tell them why they were wasting their time there.
"Ok." Yugi began, standing in front of his chair. Yami and Jounouchi sat in their own seats to either side of him, awaiting his explanation as he had yet to inform them of his intensions as well. "Dispite what some of you may think, we all really are friends so we shouldn't be fighting like we do. What we're doing today is a journal project I heard of recently, just to prove that we don't dislike each other as much as we say we do."
'He keeps saying "we"' Bakura thought 'but what he really means is "YOU"'. Bakura rolled his eyes but Yugi ignored him, plowing ahead.
"What we have to do is first we pick somebody we wouldn't normally complement and say something good about them then we have to pick a different person's name out of a hat to write about. It won't take long and then it's over and everyone can leave, ok?"
"What kindergarten did you steal this lame activity from?" Malik demanded. Yugi sighed.
"Well do it." Bakura said, surprising Yugi especially and earning a glare from Malik. "It's all Ryou's been talking about for the past three days and if it'll shut him up, we'll all do it." The subject had been closed.
A journal was produced and passed around – no one was allowed to read any previous entry – and when it had made it's rounds slips of paper were drawn – no one was allowed the name of the person they had previously written about or their "significant other" – and a second round of entries was made.
Yugi had cheated slightly here, trying to make sure Seto and Jou got each other, but when Kaiba got Jou's slip, he discreetly put it back and drew another. Yugi nearly had a heart attack. Kaiba had written about Jounouchi in the first round. He prayed Jounouchi said something nice in this round.
When everyone was finished writing, Yugi collected the journal and made sure Mokuba was in position for the second part of his duty. "Now I read them." Yugi cringed slightly, anticipating the explosion.
As predicted, Seto was the first to protest. "That was not part of the agreement!" He had stood, towering over the rest in his demanding, intimidating stature.
Once again, Mokuba was right on time. "That part was my idea, big brother." he announced, approaching the group. "I thought it would be fun. Don't you want to hear what nice things people said about you?"
"No I do not." Seto replied firmly. "And it is no one's business but mine what I wrote about them either."
"I agree." Bakura said, standing from his seat as well. "We did the group thing. We benefited. Now let's go home."
"Aww, come on Kura. Don't you wanna hear?" Malik teased. Bakura sent a glare his way sufficient to stun a rhino.
"Read them Yugi." Marik decided, leaning back in his chair and grinning like the Cheshire cat. Yugi was confused.
"I said no." Seto ordered at which time Marik turned on him.
"You don't run the world dragon-boy. The rest of us can do what we want and if you don't wanna hear you can just leave."
"THIS IS MY HOUSE!" Seto screamed back.
"Please don't read it." Ryou pleaded quietly to Yugi.
Yugi gave him a sympathetic look. "But that was the idea from the beginning."
Ryou hung his head shyly and stared at the carpet.
"We're going to read the journals." Yami said standing.
"And just what gives you the right to decide?" Bakura demanded. "You ain't the fuckin' pharaoh here."
"You've been out-voted." Yami answered calmly.
"What?"
"Just sit down." Ryou whispered and, reluctantly, Bakura did.
Mokuba took a seat at his brother's feet for story time and Yugi began reading the entries with Seto still standing angrily, beginning with his own. Eventually Seto took his seat and each entry was heard with mixed reactions.
Journal Surprise – part 2: The First Entries
Entry 1: Yugi Motou
This is a journal project to prove that we really don't mind the people we say we don't like or only complain about. I don't have this problem, but it seems everyone else does so I thought this would be a healthy enterprise. I'll pick Pegasus, even though he isn't here, because I think people are too harsh on him. He's not my favorite person, for obvious reasons but I think it's good to forgive people. He was just trying to bring back his dead wife (not a good idea) but there are worse motivations. So a good thing about Pegasus J. Crawford is that he loved his wife and was willing to do anything to get her back. It always scares me to think of him because I wonder if I might do the same, if I were ever to lose Yami.
Entry 2: Bakura, Yami Bakura, Great Thief King Bakura…Great Thief King Bakura
Something nice, something nice. Ryou said "Write about someone else, Bakura, you don't dislike them as much as you think." But I really do dislike them as much as I think, ok, maybe in all fairness it's not as much as they think, but trying to complement them could take all day and since this thing is time limited and I know for a fact my grasp of this stupid language is not going to allow time for idle complements. Shit. Two minutes left. Ryou is… is…too kind, too passive, too quiet, too clean, too nice to me, nieve, stubborn, hopeless… He wants me to be friends, to socialize and like people but I love him and can't that be enough? Why does he think I need anyone else? I wonder if I said I loved him, if he would be happy with just that. Ra knows I've given him more than enough incentive to find someone he deserves, but he's eternally stupid and I think
Entry 3: Malik Ishtar
Dear journal; fun idea. I'd rather be working on my revenge list but, fun idea. Ok. Pharaoh's Hikari, better than the pharaoh. Well, I'm done. That was easy. … …. Apparently not. No one ever said anything about a minimum time limit. I take back what I said, just as bad. And since I know no one else here…oh, wait, Jounouchi, right? He's the one I took over in Battle City. He's smarter than he looks. He never did trust "Namu" and his will is a lot stronger than I gave him credit for and those pretty eyes of his look really tempting clouded over. Almost sexy. Wish I'd had more time at the time. It's not just his eyes now that I look. Being reformed is overrated anyway.
Entry 4: Kaiba Seto
Jounouchi's hair. I noticed the other day, while carrying him to Yugi's house after getting himself knocked out by a bully over some nameless self righteous bullshit, that it's very soft. Not that I like his soft hair, the color of the sun, honey, a golden retriever… Only it feels nicer than a golden retrievers, when one's fingers sink into it, slide over it, through it… Katsuya has soft hair.
Entry 5: YAMI
Yugi, aibou mine, I will have to speak with you later about this. I've told you it's not a good idea to try and bring these people together, metaphorically or literally. But I will humor you and say something nice about Bakura, just to prove to you that while he may never speak a good word about me, I know I don't mindlessly hate him and am therefore the better man. I have noticed recently, that Bakura has become more protective of his hikari. This is a sign that he is becoming less selfish and I am greatly relieved. Ryou seems to be a wonderful influence on him. It is only sad that it has taken this long to sink in.
Entry 6: Marik
Bakura. Mmmm, Bakura, Bakura, and maybe Ryou. Bakura was my first friend here, he's teaching me how to get past modern security systems, and Ryou is trying to teach me how to ignore Bakura, he's so cute. Bakura doesn't like it when I say that. He's jealous because Ryou blushes and it's cute. Bakura is hospitable, until he throws me out, and slightly psychotic. We watch movies together and I liike him. (insert maniacal laughter here)
Entry 7: Jounouchi Katsuya
Something nice about someone I wouldn't normally complement. That means Marik, 2Seto, or Bakura so I'll write about Bakura, who is the nicest of the three. Bakura never tried to … no he did that, but he doesn't … well, ok he does insult me a lot. But I like Ryou so I have to give Bakura that much. Sorry Yug, it didn't work but I tried. --
Entry 8: Ryou Bakura
I don't really dislike anybody all the time. I get mad at Bakura and Marik sometimes but I get over it. And I don't really know Kaiba san enough to dislike him. Umm..Bakura is nice, really. He made me breakfast the other day. It wasn't edible but I ate it anyway because he tried and if he gets discouraged he won't try again. He's very insecure that way. He doesn't know that I love him. He'd laugh if he did, then he'd probably swear. It's amazing how fast he's picking up English. Sometimes when I'm really angry at him I do tell him in German and it makes him madder because he can't understand it and I feel better. I think he's rubbing off a little. Sorry guys.
As predicted, Bakura was the first to speak out, "You are such a self-righteous ass." (to Yami), "Marik, you so much as look sideways at Ryou an' the psyche ward ain't gonna be yer only worry." (to Marik), and a very dignified "Whaa?" (to Ryou, who couldn't meet his gaze but blushed a deep crimson as he stared at his shoes). Jounouchi was silent, nevermind his psychopath stalker, he was still trying to digest the soft hair-golden retriever comment, wearing his virtually patented and copyrighted "Jounouchi's not quite getting it" look. Yugi, of course, was thrilled. He only prayed Jounouchi had not said something he would now regret. And with that thought, the second entries were read.
Journal Surprise – part 2: The Second Entries
Entry 1: Yugi Motou ( Marik Ishtar(?) Marik(?) )
Yugi sweatdropped. When he had decided to cheat it hadn't occurred to him to benefit himself while he was at it. Uhhh… Marik is very protective of Malik and Isis. I had to go to his house to ask Isis something and he threatened to…do things I'd rather not repeat…to me if Yami bothered her, so I guess that's nice…for her. Malik went to the sick room the other day. Marik carried him there. He growled at two teachers on the way. I thought that was cute.
Entry 2: Bakura (short & to the point for the sake of not being cut off this time) (Yugi)
The pharaoh's brat. I don't know why I'm wasting my time… Yugi is nice too everyone and naeve and stupid…I think it's like Ryou said; it's not that I dislike him; it's just that Yugi gets everything he wants. He's not the only good duelist but he gets the fame, and the yami who's sappy with him, and the family who loves him and lives with him, and… I got off track again, damnit… Say something nice about Yugi and Ryou won't be mad. Yugi…is…accepting. Yugi accepts people.
Entry 3: Malik Ishtar (Bakura)
Bakura, that's easy. Bakura is a bastard, and an ass…gotta love him. ……..Shit. Minimum requirement. Bakura is not a fluffy, say-nice-things-about person. But he is cool, I'll give him that. Except lately. He's kinda got that love-sick dying-dog thing going right now. I'm hoping when he tells Ryou he loves him (which I will do myself if he doesn't get around) he'll go back to normal. He's so disgusting. Waitwait, that wasn't nice, ummm…OH! Bakura is nice to cats…but no one knows! o
Entry 4: Kaiba Seto (Yami Yugi)
Ugh…This is ridiculous. I have reports that need to be filled out and filed and graphs to complete for tomorrow's board meeting and I could be doing them rather than writing about doing them… Yami is the world's greatest hero…champion of the frickin' universe. There, it's finally been said. We all appreciate the sacrifice. Superman without a cape. Thank you for saving the world. … I don't think I give much of a shit about the world. I think I respect Yami for his skills on the dueling field and, ironically, his belief in the "heart of the cards"…I suppose it's no secret that everyone is jealous of either Yami or Yugi so I might as well admit I'm human and be jealous too since they've got something I obviously won't ever have.
Entry 5: Yami (Malik Ishtar)
I can't seem to think of anything particularly nice to say about Malik, perhaps I do not know him well enough, but I can say that, somehow, he fits into our little group and is as much a part of us as Ryou is (albeit far less tolerable at times). I have noticed recently that he has been spending time with Ryou which is kind of him as Ryou is very alone when we are not with him – dispite Bakura and Ryou seems more confident for it. It makes me wonder what it is that Malik offers to Ryou that he does not offer to the rest of us as Ryou can seem to find little fault in him.
Entry 6: Marik Ishtar (Ryou)
This is too perfect. Do I have good karma or what? Ryou reminds me of kittens. I set cats on fire and toss them in the lake sometimes when they hiss at me but I can never hurt kittens because they remind me of Ryou. Ryou is soft and warm and fluffy and smells like vanilla and sometimes like a dark incense that he burns sometimes when he's in a mood. Mmmm…fluffy black magic dark vanilla and kittens… Ryou should wear clothes like pharaoh's hikari sometimes but not all the time because they would make him un-innocent. Ryou isn't like Yugi. Ryou is like rain. Beautiful depressing life-giving musical moody dance-and-be-free rain. I wonder if that's why Bakura stands in the rain sometimes.
Entry 7: Jounouchi Katsuya (Seto Kaiba)
This was rigged. Stupid Kaiba. Kaiba loves his little brother. I wonder if stating the obvious still counts. Probably not. Ok. Why does Kaiba's little brother love him? I guess to someone like Mokuba, Kaiba must really look perfect. Top dueling skills, a commanding presence, demanding expectations but not too prissy to get his hands dirty and do things himself if need be. Kinda holier-than-thou but, I don't know, maybe he is. Truth is, Kaiba's better than a lot o' people – not me an' Yug an' everyone – but, a whole lot a' people. It's like, if anyone really could get past all that ice, he really would do anything for 'em. Maybe that's what it is. Kaiba's uhh…love(?) is so rare that it's more meaningful than a lot o' other peoples love – if ya can ever get it. It would be something you could count on. Somethin' that would never let you down. But I think it would also be somethin' ya had to protect and cherish, otherwise it might start ta hurt him. Somethin' like that could really destroy him which is pro'ly why he guards it so well. I don't blame him for that. …Wait, what was the nice thing about Seto again? Seto's love is meaningful. How did I come up with that? HE CALLS ME A DOG! I wonder what comes to mind when he thinks of dogs.…
Entry 8: Ryou Bakura (Jounouchi)
Jounouchi is very loyal. He's considerate (usually) and protective and open-minded. He's a good dog. OH! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean that! I meant it in a good way. Dogs are so much better than people sometimes… I'm sorry! Uhhh…this no eraser rule sucks. Why don't we have erasers? It sounds like I'm making fun of him like Kaiba-san but I meant it in the good way. It's just; Jounouchi has all the traits of a really good dog. He's strong and helpful when he can help and even when he can't he tries. He's a good fighter and a good duelist and…in fact, the only thing bad about Jounouchi-kun is that he has a short temper like Bakura and he swears like Bakura (not as bad) and… why don't I love Jounouchi?
When Yugi's entry was read, Marik received a death glare from Yami just short of a mind crush. Thankfully, however, he kept his complaints to himself.
Bakura, hearing that Marik was "cute" snickered and when Marik glared his way he doubled over in hysteric laughter. The rest of the group sweatdropped. Bakura was always reacting to the things in his head which of course he never shared with anyone, giving him the appearance of constant insanity. When Ryou started to giggle, trying desperately to hide it behind his hand, however, Marik's face flushed a deep red and he shouted for them to stop it causing another set of odd looks at the juvenile frustration in his tone. Marik huffed and crossed his arms, sliding down in his seat to sulk as the reading continued.
Yugi didn't find anything funny with Bakura's entry. In fact, he felt horrible. And Kaiba's entry didn't help much either. Was that how his friends all saw him? As being too perfect? He had never meant it that way. His life wasn't perfect. His father wasn't around. His mother wasn't around half the time. There would never be another Motou after him. Everyone talked behind his back. Strangers hated him for having things he'd never strived to have to begin with. He just…didn't complain. The group waited patiently for him to finish so Yugi continued, a little more quietly than before, ignoring himself for the time being yet again, because, as usual, now was not the time.
Malik's entry, ending with "Bakura is nice to cats", seemed to restore any pride Marik had lost for being "cute", turning the snickering on Bakura momentarily, who venomently vowed revenge.
Malik was quiet for Yami's entry, although Bakura sent him a jealous glare that few missed.
Marik's entry made Ryou blush once more and Bakura seemed to be too occupied by the thoughts in his head to yell at Marik for speaking about Ryou that way so Yugi moved quickly on.
Jounouchi's entry surprised Yugi, making him forget about himself momentarily. He had never thought Jounouchi could be so insightful.
Seto, apparently was also surprised as he seemed to be privately contemplating something, staring ahead blankly as Yugi read the final entry, Ryou Bakura's which not only made Jounouchi blush, but earned him a death glare from Yami Bakura that clearly stated if he came within twelve yards of Ryou or his bedroom, Bakura would have his loyal pretty little golden retriever head.
And with that Yugi closed the journal.
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Post whatevers: Sankyuu! to everyone who reviewed. If you've got any questions feel free to ask and please review if you enjoyed the fic. I wish everyone who read and liked it would review since I know so many people do and don't bother to take the time. Part 3 to follow soon.