Letters and Candles
Chapter 2
Run In
Disclaimer- I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh. Period. End of Story.
BUZZZZ! Ryou flinched and rolled over; only his arm was visible from under the covers as he turned off his extremely loud alarm. He slowly pushed down the blue comforter from his face, slowly opening one eye and immediately regretting it. His east-facing apartment was flooded with sunlight. The heavy black curtains that usually kept the morning sun out of his apartment were still open wide from last night.
"Last night," Ryou sighed to himself; slowly letting his eyes adjust to the intense light. He looked over by the window. The letter was still on the floor. He looked at the letter that was gently folded over on the floor.
Ryou pulled himself up into a sitting position, rubbing the sleep from his eyes His apartment was cool but not freezing. A rattling cough shook his slim form. He glanced at himself. He was still in his clothes from last night. He had been so down he had forgotten to change out of his damp clothes.
'Well, that's just great. Now I'm going to end up sick.' Ryou thought slipping out from under the warm covers. Another form-shaking cough took him. 'Never mind. I'm sick already.' Ryou thought with a sigh. His clothes were stuck to him quite uncomfortably.
'Shower first, then get dressed, and go to work.' Ryou quickly decided quickly crossing the cold wood floors of his apartment to reach his dresser. He quickly pulled out a clean shirt, a pair of socks and the unmentionables before going to his very small, 4x4, closet and grabbing a pair of jeans.
The bathroom in his apartment was also very small. Much like the bathroom you see at every hotel you'll ever stay in. Everything was white, not off white but pure sparkling white. Ryou was a neat freak, cleaning his apartment, from ceiling to floor, every Sunday morning. Towels were folded neatly and stored on a shelf above the toilet. The counter was clear of everything except; a bottle of soap, a toothbrush that was placed in its own case and a bottle of toothpaste with the cap screwed tightly on.
Ryou laid his clothes on the counter and started heating up the shower. He looked at himself in the mirror. His hair was slicked down with grease and sweat against his head. Ryou quickly pulled off his dirty clothes, shivering in the cool air. He jumped quickly into the shower relieved to feel the warm water run over his body.
His muscles relaxed as he listened to the beat of the pulsing water. 'Like the beat of a heart,' Ryou thought closing his eyes. The warm water was only temporary relief. He propped his right arm onto the shower wall and leaned forward, head resting on his arm. He sighed heavily as he groped blindly for the shampoo bottle.
It was funny how even in the shower, so many memories remained. Bakura always had a sharp, spicy, exotic scent; one that Ryou loved. He had unknowingly bought Bakura's favorite shampoo and started using it himself. It was small comfort for his aching heart.
He vigorously scrubbed the shampoo over his silver locks. His own sweet-scented body wash was washed over his skin. The mix of soaps had been strange to him at first, but seemed to just somehow work perfectly together. 'But not everything mixes that well,' Ryou thought. Turning off the warm jet of water; he quickly stepped out onto a towel he had laid out as a floor mat.
He dried off and quickly redressed in clean clothes. This was his usual morning routine. Shower and go to work. Ryou went over to the bed. He was such a neat freak everything had to be perfectly straight. He made the bed smoothing out the comforter three times and fluffing the pillows. Everything matched except the black silk pillow of Bakura's.
Ryou grabbed his coat and his keys and headed out the door. He locked the door, made sure it was locked and headed down the black, iron, stairs and started down the sidewalk. (Let me guess. You thought he had a car!)
Ryou had gone to a small café/coffee shop almost everyday that past summer. After his Yami left, Ryou had secured a job there. Five days a week and fifteen percent off everything were not bad. It had been Ryou's sanctuary for so long might as well make some money being there.
7:56 a.m.
It was just a few minutes later that Ryou reached the café. It was a small building. Yet, it was full of personality. Bright multicolored lights lit up the windows. Inside a Christmas tree decorated with more lights and miscellaneous ornaments attracted many customers. Children passed with window-shopping parents, gasping and pointing. The sweet smell of coffee and Christmas cookies hooked anyone who passed; making it a busy spot this time of year.
A small bell tied to the door, jingled as he entered. Customers sat laughing and some singing at their tables. Behind the counter serving the giddy, customers were two women. One had shoulder length, blonde hair and wore a green turtleneck and a red, waist apron. She had a black pin on her shirt that read in white lettering, The Cabana, and her name, Ashley Camden.
The other was the manager of The Cabana; she wore a red, long-sleeved shirt and a green, waist apron. Her hair was black and tied back in an elegant but messy bun. She had bright, inquisitive brown eyes and a bright smile on her face. She too wore a pin, it read, The Cabana, Manager, and her name, Kylie Adams.
"You cut it close, Ryou," Ashley called tossing him an apron.
"I know," Ryou sighed back. He was usually there early. This was their busiest season and he knew he couldn't afford to run in late. "I saw you finished the tree," Ryou stated heading behind the counter. He noted they were almost out of tree cookies
Ashley nodded, "Yep, finished it about ten minutes ago. Oh before I forget. You remember the New Years Party?" Ryou nodded. "Kylie was wondering if there was anyway we could get here early to help set up. She says it's going to take longer to get ready than she thought."
Ryou nodded again, "Yeah, do you know when we need to be here?"
"Seven-thirty that evening. The party will start at nine. She says people will most likely come and go till midnight."
Ryou gave a quick smile. "I'll be there." Ashley gave a smile to match his before turning her attention to a waiting customer. Ryou went to the back room to wash up and grab another plate of Christmas cookies. The back room was just as bright as the main room. Christmas lights illuminated the room and the scent of coffee and cookies was addicting.
He washed his hands and arms up to the elbow; grabbed an oven mitt and pulled out a batch of golden brown, tree-shaped cookies. The scent of the cookies only added to the wonderful smell of the Café. Kylie had based The Cabana off of her love of cooking and her grandmother's recipes. Everyone seemed to love the combination. 'I don't think anyone in town can avoid coming here at least once.' Ryou though placing the cookies on a decorative plate and going back to the main room.
"Hey, Ryou." A woman's voice rang through the café. Kylie had just noticed he was here.
"Hey Kylie." Kylie took the platter from him and directed towards the back corner and handed cookies out to awaiting children. The Cabana had a counter that was in the far right corner just for kids. Out now was a wide assortment of frostings. For kids to "color" their own cookies. It also had miniature tables and chairs for the kids to eat at as well. The Cabana was a huge social spot because it could be used for most anything.
Even Marik had loved it here. That is before he was banned. It had been a game of his for the longest time. See how many places you can get banned from in one town. Marik was currently banned from it seemed everywhere except his home. 'I'm surprised Malik hasn't banned him from there too.' Ryou though taking his place at the cash register.
Malik had pulled his funds and bought a pretty nice home outside of town. Marik stayed with him of course. Marik and Malik had admitted to being in love with each other in the summer. Ever since they had been an item. Getting them loads of attention from everyone with their "playful" and very public antics. But the city was used to strange things. Many believed Malik was in fact a tomboy not a boy at all. So the commotion softened up a bit.
Ryou smiled taking the order from a couple and getting their coffees. They seemed so happy together. Ryou sighed after they sat down at a table. 'If only everyone could find someone and be happy like that.'
4:08 p.m.
The day went rather quickly at The Cabana. Ryou watched as the last customer exited and quickly flipped the sign from open to closed. He started to clean up. The Cabana closed everyday at four. Meaning Ryou had a few hours to do whatever he pleased before dusk.
"Hey Ryou? Are you ok? You seemed to be a little out of it today." Ashley said coming from the back room to help him clean up.
"Yeah I'm ok."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. I just need to go home and think a bit."
"I can finish up here if you want. I have nothing better to do anyway." Ashley laughed, "Just don't tell Kylie."
Ryou laughed but nodded, "I owe you one." He grabbed his coat and headed out the door. Stopping to wave good-bye once outside through the window. Ashley waved back before grabbing a rag and starting to wipe down the tables. Ryou turned and stated down the walk, eager to return home.
It had started snowing again. The little snowflakes fell lightly around him as he walked. Cars went by quickly despite the fact the ground was already covered in two to three inches of the stuff. Ryou put his hands into his pockets, head low as he thought over the letter from Bakura.
'What did I wish?' He couldn't remember. His birthday had passed months ago and the wish had been lost into his memory. Washed over by grief, depression, and heartache. Ryou had fallen victim to a single, lost memory.
Ryou continued down the street, he could see his apartment from here. The snow was beginning to fall heavily. The sky had turned a dark gray and the snow was piling up fast. 'Blizzard weather.' Ryou decided to run into a grocery store only a few blocks out of the way to stock up on food and supplies.
'Lets see. Something I can tolerate for days and something I can buy cheaply. Ramen.' Ryou headed into the fifth isle of the chilly grocery store and grabbed three boxes of ramen; one box of chicken, a box of shrimp and a box of mushroom. (Don't like the flavors change them to your liking.) He headed to the check out, quickly paid and left.
Ryou headed down the walk, two bags of ramen in hand. He looked down at the sidewalk watching as his feet dent the level snow. The lights of stores were distracting and a little annoying.
A few minutes later still watching his feet he was cast backwards. He let out a yelp as he hit the icy pavement. He rubbed his now bruised left shoulder; he looked up to see whom he had run into. The other person had also been thrown backwards from impact. He had turned to pick himself up and was brushing himself off, back to Ryou.
"I am so sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going." The other person looked startled by the sound of his voice. He had frozen still and his breathing had become labored and raspy. "Are you alright?"
Ryou picked up his bags and pulled himself to his feet. The other turned and Ryou understood why he had been startled. Ryou's heart skipped a beat and he fell to his knees in disbelief.
"Bakura…"
Ok well there is chapter 2. I hope you liked it! I didn't get to add all the details like in chapter one I know but I hope it was still enjoyed. As to all. If I make you cry. I'll know I'm doing a good job. Butterflies in the stomach? Love it! Hope this chappie got you curious as to what will happen next!
A special thanks to the following;
Dark-Angel302- Thanks so much for reading it. As for your question, Why I didn't tell you? I can't tell you everything…
Celestial Angel- Thank you so much for reading my first Yu-Gi-Oh story! I really appreciate the complements.
Hikari Riku- Thank you for your complement. I like to think it's interesting.
Everyone's Anti-Valentine- Thank you so much for the huge complement. I love that you found it so descriptive.
YAMISGRL- Thanks so much! Love to hear my story is appreciated.
Aya-Kaiba-Yasha- Thanks for complementing my writing style! No worry yaoi will kick in soon.
T. Lei- Here's the next chappie.
Ryou VeRua- Love the word intricate to depict my story!
Random guy who likes to review- Thank you muchies!
Lauren- Wow. I love the number a milliondy. I would love a milliondy reviews even more! I don't think you have a need to worry. I'm going to keep posting. I might do a special chappie or one-shot for the winter instead. My Official Reviewer for every chappie! Wow, I love that idea. Personally your review was my favorite. I look forward to hearing from you again!
Thank you all so much. Your reviews were not unnoticed! I love you guys!