I have returned! Sorry for the delay. I must admit I am disappointed. I got seven reviews two chappies ago but only five last chappie. (sighs irritably) And yet here I am updating already...
Freak in the Shadows: What can I say? I love you darling. Continue to review. I'm dedicating this chappie to YOU.
xKokurox: Whaddaya mean you hope the next chappie's worth it! This chapter's damn awesome, that's what! (grumbles) Anyway, I'm glad it sounded like Ryou talking in the last chapter. Like Bakura said, he's only partially acting like his light. Gotta snaz it all up. (grins happily) Well...you won't get much more of a explanation for what happened to our dear white-haired hikari in this chapter. Too much other stuff going on. Love ya!
Silver Mirror: I love your enthusiasm in your last review! Did I do the video game thing all right? I don't play video games...(gasp from readers) Yes yes, the secret's out: I don't play video games of any kind. (sigh) Go ahead. Abandon me...(sobs) NO PLEASE DON'T! Stay!...um...review again dear. (bows)
dragonlady222: I thought Bakura falling asleep like that was adorable too. Poor psycho didn't even know he was capable of such. But we love him all the same. (goosh) review again! love ya!
Satra: OO...What do you mean English isn't your first language? That's not possible! You speak it better than I do and it's the only goddamn language I KNOW!...Don't go asking me if I understand what you're trying to say, dear. You're awesome. Got it? I've never had trouble understanding you...hell, I've never even thought english wasn't your first language. I justassumed it was. (collaspes in exhaustion) Geez. Why do Americans not bother teaching their children other languages? I always feel so stupid when talking to bilingual peoples such as yourself. So...what is your first language?...whoa...I'm blabbering. My most sincere apologies. (kowtows) I'm glad you found this story and that it meets your standards. To tell you the truth I was wondering why my most loyal fan for SOS wasn't reading my other story...but I didn't want to ask cause I was afraid you didn't like yaoi and I didn't wanna offend you...damn it I'm blabbering again! (extremely flustered by this point) I'm just going to stop typing now...love ya!
I'm dedicating this chappie to Freak in the Shadows!
The White Tiger
Eyes of blue, deep thoughts concealed
Pale, thick fur doesn't seem real.
Dark lines of black stand out so clear;
In mists of snow they disappear.
Majestic, captivates the mind;
Soundless, impossible to find.
A creature admired and feared the most
A white phantom...a silent ghost
Chapter 5: Demon's Return
(Bakura's POV)
Well the weekend is over, and here we are returning to the hell-hole, known to some as 'school.' I can't understand what Ryou found so appealing about it. Strange child. It's far too noisy and bustling for my tastes.
The weekend had been fairly compelling. Yami had insisted that Yugi and I compete in some of those video games. Then they got Mr. Mutou trying it too. Yami is still far better than I; but then again he's had more experience and is the 'King of Games'. Stupid title…
I sigh, walking down the halls. Everyone's already rushing away to classes; finally, a moment to myself. Not something one gets much of at the Mutous'. I must admit, their enthusiasm can be extremely irking. I slowly open the locker, not in a hurry to go to class. Damn, why'd my light have to be such a goody-good? What I'd give to skip…
"Well what have we here?"
I glance over to my left and am met by two rather bulky individuals. I don't recognize them, though I seriously doubt they have good intentions.
"Did you want something?" I ask icily, turning back to my locker.
"Oh yeah." A hand roughly shoves me against the locker door. Oh he's gonna die.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," I growl menacingly.
He smirks. "Well well well, the little kitten is fighting back." What did he just call me?
"Excuse me?" I snarl.
"That's right. Beg for forgiveness from your master," he laughs, grabbing a handful of my hair. That DOES it!
He lets out a gasp as my elbow connects with his gut, backing up slightly in shock. I regain my posture, positioned in a relaxed fighter stance. His companion glares at me.
"You disobeyin' little bitch!" he howled menacingly, marching forward.
"Bitch, eh?" I grin.
He swings at me with incredible speed! I duck quickly, recovering and landing a fast blow to his gut. He lurches slightly but remains standing.
"Heh," he smirks. "Someone been taking defense classes?"
"Like hell," I grin, cracking my knuckles.
"I'll teach ya to fight back!" he yells, charging. Oh shit.
He rams me against the locker. What I'd give for my body, not Ryou's puny form. I lash out, my foot connecting with his knee. He lets out a howl, collapsing with the leg sticking out in a ghastly position. One down.
"Hello." I don't have time to react as a fist comes at my face with incredible force.
I crumple to the floor, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth. My whole head is swimming, mind blurring. Coming back, I scramble to the side as a heavy-booted foot slams down where my head had been milliseconds earlier. I hurriedly rise to my feet, shaking slightly.
"Nice recovery, bitch," the boy sneers.
I don't answer. He doesn't deserve conversation.
He lunges, fists raised. I dash to the side, barely missing the blow that ends up whamming into the locker, denting the door severely. I let out a trembling breath. Stupid weak body…
"Take this!" a voice screams.
The guy goes down, Jou and Honda atop his form, landing punch after punch. Well yeah, that's easy to do when his attention's on me. I back up in astonishment when he throws them off, hurling them against the lockers like they're paper.
I stand my ground, not about to let some mortal beat me; even if he is a gigantic mortal…
"Let's finish this, bitch," he grins hideously.
I glance over at the two who're slowly coming back to their senses. Now or never.
"As you wish," I smile, revealing my true self, sharp canines flashing, body more sturdy.
He pauses in shock for a moment, not sure what just happened but disturbed nonetheless.
I race forward, not giving him room for answers. He quickly holds up his fists, but can't hide the uneasy look. I ram my fist into his stout, rough face; blood spurting from his broken nose.
He lets out a shriek, cowering back; but I'm not done, oh no. I'll make him pay. He'll regret messing with me.
I kick the back of his leg, bringing him to his knees. I grin wickedly down at his quivering form. Taking a handful of his disgusting, greasy hair, I pull his face up so he's looking into my eyes.
"P—please!"
"Who's the bitch now?" I whisper rancorously, increasing my grip.
He winces, blood covering his busted face. "Ple…!"
I let my fingers wrap around his bulky neck, tightening them like a constrictor. His eyes bulge, face distorted in pain and panic. I ram him against the lockers, raising the hand around his neck to the point where he's struggling for a breath. His hands flay, attempting to grab my arms. So futile. Pathetic.
"Ryou!" a deep voice yells. Ah, the pharaoh's arrived.
(Yami's POV)
Yugi sits down in class, slightly grumpy which is odd for him. I don't press, knowing his utter dislike for school. Smiling, I lean back for a rest in my soul room.
The final bell hasn't rung yet; I'm surprised, Ryou's usually in class by now. After getting admission from Yugi, I take control and turn to Jou and Honda who are arm wrestling at a nearby desk.
"Have either of you seen Ryou?" I question.
They both look over. "No. Why? Somethin' wrong?" Jou asks, whamming Honda's arm onto the desk with a thump.
"He's late. That's not like him," I reply somewhat nervously.
Honda looks at Jou. "Let's go find him." I begin to rise. "No, you stay here, Yami. You've done enough babysitting this weekend," he adds with a smile.
I chuckle and watch the two head off. They don't care if they're late. Actually, they're almost always late.
(Why didn't you go with them? I don't care about being late either!) Yugi insists from his soul room.
I laugh quietly. ((Yes abiou, but I have a feeling that if you went wandering I'd never be able to get you back in here.))
I know he's pouting. I settle back, watching people file into the room. I become increasingly anxious as time goes by and still they haven't returned with the hikari. I glance up at the clock just as the tardy bell sounds. Something's wrong.
I stand, entire body quivering. What should I do?
"Mr. Mutou, I said take your seat," the teacher states sternly.
I stare at her in complete disbelief. I can't! I have to go find…
"Mr. Mutou!" she says louder, voice etched with warning.
"I…I need to go to my locker, mam," I stutter, trying to find an excuse to leave.
She shakes her head. "You had plenty of time to do that before school started. Now, please take your seat." I slowly sit, not wanting to infuriate her further.
(Yami?) Yugi asks unsurely.
((What should I do?))
(Run for it!) he states encouragingly.
I glare. ((Abiou, I'm serious!))
(So am I.)
I don't have a chance to answer as a student races into the room, out of breath. "Mam, there's a fight in the hallway! There's blood!" she shrieked, looking petrified.
"Stay here!" the teacher orders, racing from the room.
I jump up, running after before anyone can react. I turn down the opposite hall, praying to all the gods that Ryou, Honda, and Jou aren't involved. Rounding a corner, I'm met by an unbelievable sight. Jou and Honda lying on the ground, bruised up but all limbs intact; a larger boy is curled up on the floor in agony, his right leg protruding at a sickening angle.
What is most horrific of all is Ryou holding another boy, whose entire face is a mass of blood, against a locker, choking the very life from him.
"Ryou!" I yell, racing forward.
(Bakura's POV)
Well, well, well. Look who's decided to grace us with his divine presence. I scowl, turning back to the lug I'm presently in the process of punishing. I do not feel like being Ryou right now… and I don't have to be! A smirk appears on my face.
"Well, hello there, pharaoh. Come to join the party?" I grin deviously, turning back to face him, still maintaining my grip on the lard's neck.
"Bakura!"
"Nice to know you haven't forgotten me," I sneer.
Yami notices my tightening grip on the boy's throat. "Bakura, let him go!" he orders. Hmm…no.
"Oh he's getting his just desserts, Pharaoh, I assure you," I snicker. The teen let's out a final effort to get free, trying to kick my legs. I answer by letting my foot down hard on his. He would shriek except he can't really make much noise with no oxygen. Heh.
"This isn't Egypt! You can't just go around murdering people!" Yami tries to reason.
"Why not? We have the power; it's more of self defense than anything else anyway," I shrug, whacking the side of the teen's neck hard with my hand, knocking him unconscious. I grin as his body slides to the floor, limp.
"I highly doubt that," Yami growls, advancing.
"Fine," I shrug. "Next time I'll just let the body get beaten to a pulp." The ring illuminates at this, mimicking the transfer of control over to 'Ryou'.
I allow my eyes to widen to a confused, pained state. My face really does hurt a bit. Stupid mortal was quicker than I'd given him credit for. Internally smirking, I sink to the ground, head bowed in 'weakness'.
"Ryou!" Yami screams, rushing to my side.
He gently takes my chin, pushing strands of hair from my eyes. I look at him tiredly.
"S'okay man," Jou mutters, standing up slowly, offering a hand to Honda who's rising to a sitting position.
"Are you three all right?" Yami asks us, turning to each with worried eyes.
(Yami's POV)
"Are you three all right?" I ask them with concern, looking at each.
"Boys, what's going on?" the teacher yells, racing towards us with the principal and three other teachers.
Jou speaks up: "Those two were attacking Ryou here." He points at the two who are lying on the floor. One is whimpering, looking panic-stricken at the sight of his leg.
"Call an ambulance!" the principal orders as they rush to examine the two bullies.
A male teacher with graying black hair comes over to check Honda, Jou, and Ryou's injuries.
"You boys all right?" he asks with surprising calmness.
"We're fine, coach," Jou grins, giving the man thumbs up.
"Hmm, well you two head for the nurse." They nod, leaving, glancing back at Ryou and me as they go.
"Looks like they put up one hell of a fight for you," the coach smiles at the hikari.
The boy doesn't respond, eyes dull. I gently squeeze his shoulder. He doesn't react.
"I'll take him to the nurse," I offer, helping the boy stand to his feet.
The man nods, turning his attention to the crowd of staff members and straggler students gathering around the two battered bullies. I sigh, supporting Ryou slightly as we head off down the hallway.
"Good thing Jou and Honda were there for you," I say quietly, internally slapping myself for not being there as well.
"They didn't do much," Ryou whispers.
I look at him. "Bakura?"
He nods, eyes still emotionless. I don't know what to say. We continue down the hall in silence.
(Bakura's POV)
It's really quite amazing how well everything's working out…well, besides the fact that I have three stitches in my lip now. My only wound in that battle, though. Still, I keep hitting myself for allowing the mortal to get the upper hand. That's not like me to let that happen.
Yami stayed by my side since the incident. The school told me to go home, so Yami decided that, once again, I shouldn't be left alone to fend for myself. This time they called Mr. Mutou who came and picked me up.
I'm now relaxing on the couch again. Surprise surprise. I let out an aggravated sigh, leaning back against a pillow. I keep ending up back here. Weakened.
"How are you feeling? I must say, you've had quite a time these past few days," Mr. Mutou chuckles, setting a tray with soup down on the coffee table.
"You said it," I grin faintly, wincing as the stitches stretch slightly.
"Well, here's some food. You haven't felt sick at all today? Don't think the flu's coming back?"
"I'm fine," I assure him, carefully taking a sip of water.
"So who were these boys you got in a fight with?"
I shrug. "Some lunatics looking for trouble."
"You seem surprisingly calm about it," he says observantly.
"How does everyone want me to act?" I ask rather annoyed.
He smiles at this. "Oh. I think you're taking it far better than they thought."
I grin, lip throbbing. "Well, we aren't all really that close…so yeah, they wouldn't know how I react in such situations."
He looks slightly saddened, but the look is quickly gone. "Well, hopefully that'll change now. You've already seemed to have gotten fairly close to Yami." He gets up, heading for the kitchen. He stops in the doorway, not looking back. "We all care about you, you know that." He leaves.
I can feel a victorious smirk form on my face. "That's just what I wanted to hear," I whisper, running a finger over the glass' edge, creating a sharp, piercing screech.
heh. Yay! Bakura got to be himself for a short amount of time. That made him happy. Now review: which makes ME happy! Let's get back up to the seven-reviews range, peoples.
Review!