Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh or the movie Love and Basketball.
Wow . . . it has been a seriously long time. More than a year! I am so sorry for this huge delay. My computer had broken down last year, and we couldn't exactly afford a new one. So I've been waiting this long year, writing my stories on pen and paper. Finally, for my birthday (March 10), my dad bought me a new computer! I was so excited, but I had to wait until he set it up, since he wouldn't let me set it up. But now, alas, I can continue posting this story! So please enjoy my next chapter!
After Tryouts
"Aw shit! (What a great way to open a chapter) Tryouts are finally over!" Malik shouted, slamming his gym locker shut. "Do you know how long I've been waiting for this?"
I thought for a second. "Three days?"
"Yes! Three long, agonizing days," he emphasized.
"But what will you do if you make the team?" I wondered. If he thinks once he makes the team it will be easy sailing, he is crazier than I thought, which is really crazy.
Asking him this made him stop and think. "I dunno. I'd probably quit," he shrugged, pulling on his backpack.
Quit? Then why'd the hell he try out? "Then why'd you try out?"
"Are you gonna keep interrogating me or are you gonna finish getting dressed?"
I looked down and realized I was missing my pants. Embarrassed, I quickly pulled them on along with my shoes. "Seriously, though, are you going to quit if you make it?"
A long sigh blew out from him and he paused. "I don't know."
I slung my backpack over my shoulder and we began to walk out of the locker room. Before I could stop myself, I bumped into someone. "Oops. I'm so sorry, please forgive me. I wasn't watching . . ." I trailed off when I saw who it was.
"It's okay," Yami replied. He flashed me a small smile before adding, "Ryou-kun."
I knew by now I was blushing. Hoping that he didn't see my red face, I scuttled off, Malik hurriedly trying to keep up.
When we finally got outside the building, Malik grabbed me and made me stop. "What's wrong with you? Trying to kill me? Do you know how tired my legs are? After all that running we just did, and you go walking like some woman who found out there's a 75 clearance on shoes."
"I'm sorry, I just, uh . . ." I didn't want to tell him why I sped off so quickly.
"You just didn't want Yami to see you blushing like an infatuated girl," he stated knowingly, crossing his arms over his chest. "So you thought running away like that made it any better?"
Well, now that I think about it, no. But what else was I supposed to do? Stand there and blush, while trying to think of a good way to say, "I'll see you later," without stammering over my words? "Um, of course I thought it would make it better. Why else would I do it?"
Malik shook his hand and began walking. I followed him, but had to jog to catch up. "Now you're the one walking all fast. What happened to your tired legs?"
"They went away," he remarked sharply.
What's with the attitude problem? "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing."
Oh, so now you're being stubborn, eh? "You wouldn't be pouting if nothing was wrong."
"I'm not pouting!" he spat back.
I almost wanted to laugh right there, but it would only put him in a worse mood. After thinking of another way to get it out of him, I stopped in my tracks. He continued walking, but I waited patiently.
5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . 1
Just as predicted, Malik stopped walking and I could see him take a deep frustrated breath. He swiftly turned around and stomped back to where I was standing.
"You wanna know why I'm acting like this? Because I know something, something that you are obviously in denial about! Because if you weren't in denial, you would've told me already instead of trying to hide it! Of course you know it deep down inside, but your not so deep inside doesn't know! So just admit it before I go even crazier!"
What was he talking about? "I'm not in denial about anything."
"Yes you are!" he yelled.
"What am I in denial about?"
"THAT YOU LIKE YAMI!" he loudly growled.
What? "I don't like Yami."
"YES YOU DO! The way you stare at him with goo-goo eyes from fifty miles away, or the way you blush every time he GLANCES at you or says your name are all proof that you like him!"
". . ."
I didn't know what to say to that. Was that all true? Did I really have goo-goo eyes when I looked at him? Did I always blush when he looked at me or said my name?
HONK! HONK!
The loud noise discarded me away from my thoughts. I looked over and saw a blue car pulled over.
"Come on, it's my sister," he informed, already calm from his revelation seconds ago.
I silently followed, returning back to my thoughts.
AT HOME
The whole ride was completely silent, except for the occasional tapping Ishizu made on the steering wheel. There wasn't even a goodbye when I exited the car.
Now I was lying in my bed, alone in the house. My father left another note saying the rest of the furniture was delivered including my bed, and that he had an emergency business meeting. He also went grocery shopping, so I had some Ramen for dinner. When I went online, Malik wasn't on. For some reason, I felt like he didn't want to talk to me. I didn't know why, though.
'So just admit it before I go even crazier! . . . THAT YOU LIKE YAMI!'
His words echoed in my head.
'The way you stare at him with goo-goo eyes from fifty miles away, or the way you blush every time he GLANCES at you or says your name are all proof that you like him!'
I don't like Yami, do I? I mean, he is a nice person and he is really good at basketball. I admire him for those things, but it doesn't mean I like him, right? Right! I don't like, Yami. What is Malik talking about? It's just admiration, that's all.
Satisfied with that little problem and relieved that tryouts were finally over, I closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
A hard day of our first practice passed. It was exhausting since the first couple of weeks were mainly about conditioning. I was in the locker room by myself since Coach made me pick up the balls and clean the floor.
"If you're going to be a leader, you need to act like a leader and clean up everything!"
Exactly. What does cleaning up have to do with leading? Point is, I feel extremely nervous being in the locker room by myself.
I stripped down to my boxers and opened my locker. I reached for my clothes, but I felt nothing. What? They're gone! My clothes are gone! Where'd they go?
"Looking for these?"
I quickly spun around and saw Yami holding my clothes. He was only wearing a towel, his skin glistening with droplets from a warm shower.
I felt my face heat up and I meekly replied, "Yeah."
From embarrassment of continually staring at his wet, creamy skin, I closed my eyes. I heard footsteps as I knew he was coming closer. This is not happening. This is not happening. Soon I'll wake up from a dream, right?
When the footsteps stopped, I slowly opened my eyes. Yami was standing right in front of me, inches away, my clothes on the floor.
"I know you watch me," he whispered, seductively.
I looked into his burning amethyst eyes, but I had to look away before becoming too enthralled.
"I know you're attracted to me," he whispered again. This time I felt him grab my chin and make me look into those magnetic eyes. He began to lean closer to me. I knew what he was going to do, yet I closed my eyes, waiting.
Soon fire singed my lips as his own pressed against mine. He pressed harder before pulling back a little. His tongue tolled across my bottom lip and pushed forward, opening my mouth. I felt his tongue explore my mouth, sweeping along my teeth and twirling with my own tongue.
I felt a cool hand crawl up my chest. Fingers pinched my nipple, and a jolt of pleasure rushed down my body. His hand glided down to my back and grabbed my ass. My throat rumbled as I moaned.
Suddenly another hand was resting on my stomach. It slowly began to creep underneath my waistband. My heartbeat swiftly sped up as the hand moved down further. My anticipation was rising. My whole body was burning with desire; desire for Yami.
Before I could prepare myself, he roughly grabbed my-
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
My eyes shot open and I quickly sat up in my bed. I reached over and shut my alarm off. Sweat was dripping down my forehead. When I looked down, I noticed I was pitching a tent.
Oh crap! How'd that happen? Suddenly, images of my dream poured into my mind; the excitement, the passion, the sheer desire . . . and of course, Yami.
Yami! I had a wet dream with . . . Yami.
'YOU LIKE YAMI!' screamed Malik's words from the night before.
But, I thought I didn't like Yami.
Then why'd you have a dream that you and him were getting busy?
I don't know.
I know why.
Because I like Yami?
Exactly!
So, I like Yami? Everything Malik said was true?
Mmhmm.
When realization dawned on me, I felt my vision get a little hazy and my head began to spin. I closed my eyes to stop myself from getting dizzy. I can't believe it. I like Yami. It's not just admiration. I actually like him. A guy! I like a guy. Does that mean I'm . . . homosexual? Or maybe I'm just bisexual. Yeah, I'm just bisexual. I'm bisexual and I like Yami!
I could feel my lips begin to turn upwards as I began to accept the fact that I liked Yami. All the images from my dream returned, except this time I reveled in them. I enjoyed every moment of it!
SCHOOL
Malik hadn't said a word to me. When I asked him what he received on the quiz, he just merely pointed while looking in another direction. I tried to write him a note, but he balled it up and threw it at Weevil's head.
After class, I had to walk to gym by myself for the first time. Not only that, but Malik refused to even acknowledge my presence when we were paired for stretching buddies.
That day in gym we were doing basketball races and other games. We stayed with the same teams we scrimmage with, so of course our team won all the challenges. When I glanced over at Malik, he was leaning against the wall staring at the ground.
Why won't he talk to me? I feel so . . . lonely.
I felt someone tap me on my shoulder. When I turned around, it was Yami. He was looking at me when he said, "Congratulations."
Congratulations? "With what?"
A small smile formed on his face. "For making the team."
What? "I made the team?"
He chuckled. "Yeah, you didn't check the list?"
This new information kicked my problems with Malik right out of my hand. I actually made the team! Joy overwhelmed me so much I looked around for someone to hug. Then I looked at Yami and couldn't hold myself back. Without thinking, I quickly wrapped my arms around him.
"I made the team," I squealed. I was so happy. When I pulled away, a shocked look was imprinted on the other boy's face.
I realized what I did and felt my face begin to burn. But I didn't care that I hugged him! I jumped up and down and turned around to tell Malik the news. When I looked at him with a huge grin on my face, he just stared back quizzically. I waved to him, but he quickly averted his gaze to the ceiling.
Oh, right. I forgot that we weren't talking.
A little bummed, I stopped jumping and looked back at Yami. He was staring at Malik, but then he looked back at me. "Well, be ready for practice today."
I watched him walk away and suddenly the loneliness came flooding back. I really wanted to tell Malik, and I also wanted to see if he made it.
After gym class, I began my trek back to the main building. I wanted school to end so I could get away from everyone and tell my father the good news.
As I continued walking, another set of footsteps traveled to my ears. Confused, I stopped walking. They stopped, too. Was I just hearing things? I began to walk when they continued. Was I being followed? I sped up my pace and could hear the other footsteps speeding up. I am being followed! Panicking, I started running.
Before I even took three steps, a hand grabbed my shoulder and spun me around. I ended up tripping over my feet and falling flat on my ass. "Please don't hurt me!"
Laughter soon entered my ears. I opened my eyes and saw Malik standing above me.
"Please don't hurt me? What'd you think? That I was some serial killer?"
Embarrassed, I sheepishly replied, "Yeah."
Hearing this, his laughter increased and he was holding his stomach.
"It's really not that funny," I scowled.
It wasn't! I thought I was actually being attacked. Brushing myself off, I stood up and put my hands on my hips. "You can stop laughing."
Minutes passed before he completely stopped laughing and the tears in his eyes left.
"That was pretty funny. You have to admit it," he tried to convince me.
Wanting to change the subject to something less . . . humiliating, I said, "I made the team."
Malik frowned a bit. "Yeah, I saw it on the gym doors."
Oh, I forgot to check if he made it.
"Um . . . did you make it?"
Suddenly, his frown deepened and his lavender eyes became glazed.
Oh, no . . .
". . . Of course I made it! Do you think they're that stupid to not put on the team?"
Relief spread throughout me, and Malik began to laugh again. "I got you good that team. You should've seen your expression!"
Once again I wanted to change the subject, so I blurted the first thing that came to my mind. "Why are you suddenly talking to me?"
Malik's face straightened up and he gazed up at the clear sky. "I don't know. A few reasons: one, I see that you finally admitted that you like Yami, two, you obviously missed my company which I can't blame you for that, and three, I missed you, too." With these last words, he stopped and smiled at me. That was the first time I actually saw him give me a genuine smile.
"You're the best," I informed, just in case he didn't already know it.
"I know."
Which he did.
FIRST PRACTICE
After school, Malik and I rushed down the gym since we had to stay ten minutes after English to help clean up our mess. Well, more like Malik's mess since he was the one throwing paper airplanes around the class.
We quickly got dressed and ran out into the gym. There was a small amount of kids compared to tryouts. I looked around for the one and only, but he wasn't there yet.
As we all waited on the bleachers for the Coach to give us schedules and explain other things, I stared at the locker room doors. I knew he made the team so what was taking him so long to get here?
Just as I thought this, the doors opened and out came Kaiba, Otogi, Honda, Jou, and Yami. My heart fluttered at the sight of Yami. He was calmly smiling at something Jou said while the others laughed.
When they reached the bleachers, Jou looked up at me and smiled, "Hey, Ryou! Nice to see ya made it!"
He stepped up the bleachers and sat directly behind me. Despite the others' displeased look, they followed suit and sat behind Malik and I. Yami just glanced at me then promptly shifted his eyes to something else.
Throughout the explanation of how this season was going to go, Jou continually made smart remarks in my ear. Of course I'd giggle at them, but I'd have to slap my hand on my mouth to not receive any attention.
Once he was done talking we did a few warm-up drills. After that came the hard part. We had to sprint ten suicides in under five minutes (I don't know if that is possible). I thought I was in shape until that. Everyone was breathing hard, even Yami surprisingly.
Throughout practice we had to do strenuous running drills and four more of the suicides. By the end of practice, my legs were wobbling it was so hard to stand up. Sweat dripped down my face and neck. I leaned over the water fountain and wet my face, then wiped it with the bottom of my shirt. (I do that when I play basketball. Not the cleanest thing to do.)
"Hey! You! Uh . . . Bakura!"
I turned around and saw Coach Koshiro beckoning me. I ran over to him, despite my legs. "Yes?"
"Come with me," he ordered and began striding to his office.
We arrived and inside some boy and . . . Yami were waiting.
"I need to talk to you boys for a second."
I took a seat next to Yami on an old couch, causing me to sink in and collapse on him.
"Oops, sorry," I apologized, trying to straighten up and lean towards the other direction.
"You three all play for each team: Bakura for the freshman, Shanjin for the junior varsity, and Mutou for the varsity. Now each team needs a leader, one who excels above the rest and has charisma that the others admire."
What is he talking about?
"Each team needs someone who says, 'There's no I in team', and 'Stick with it you sissies!' That is why I have chosen each of you to be captains. Now don't go rejoicing right away, because if you suck, I will yank that title away from you and give to someone who doesn't lick their ass! Alright?"
Uh . . .
"Alright!" we all said in unison.
The three of us ended up being the last in the locker room. That one kid, Shanjin, left without taking a shower. So, of course, it was Yami and I.
Familiarity came to me as I undressed down to my boxers, and opened my locker for my clothes. Except this time my clothes were in there. I grabbed them with a towel and splatted over to a shower stall. I say splatted, because the floor was still wet, and my feet made a little 'Splat' noise when I walked.
Anyways, I turned on the shower and waited for it to heat up. I heard 'Splat, Splat' and I peeked over to who was making it. It was Yami. He was undressed all the way, only wearing a towel, just like in my dream. He began to pull it off and I rapidly averted my eyes.
When my water was heated just the way I like it, I stripped down and stepped into the stall. I closed the curtain and luxuriated in the hot water beating onto my stiff muscles. I washed my hair with some of the strawberry shampoo they had in the stall. I wanted to stay like that forever, but I had to come out some time.
Grudgingly, I turned off the shower and dried myself with the towel, while still in the stall. I popped my head out of the curtain and made sure Yami wasn't there. It sounded like he was already done. Good.
I stepped out and reached for my clothes on the little shelf outside the stall. After slipping my boxers on, I decided to go back to the lockers and change there since the floor was wet by the showers.
Sitting on the bench, I used some of my Apple Country (from Bath n Body Works!), and rubbed it all on my legs. Next I used it on my arms then my chest and stomach. Sniffing in the sensational aroma, I heard 'Splat, Splat'. When I opened my eyes, I saw Yami standing there in a towel still a little wet, giving me a strange look I'd never seen before.
"Uh. . . I was just, um, you know, admiring the smell."
Admiring the smell? How weird could I get?
When he didn't say anything, I began to feel nervous like in my dream. Oh no! My dream! This is just like my dream! Well, kind of.
"You know," Yami began, "you're different than others. I don't know how, but I just know you're . . . different."
Different? "Is that bad?"
There was a small flash of his pearly teeth. "No."
After responding, he sauntered off to the locker aisle he was in.
A big breath escaped me and my heart beat slowed down. I swiftly got dressed and put on my backpack. I was walking towards the door when I heard a voice call, "Hey, do you need a ride? I mean, it's late and already dark."
I stopped and turned to see Yami fully dressed, looking at me expectantly.
He was asking ME if I needed a ride? How could I pass this chance up?
"Sure."
To be continued . . .
Mwahahahhahaha! I know, what a mean way to end the chapter after not updating for the past billion years. Don't worry, I'll update next weekend since I have almost the whole story written down. Once again, sorry for the long delay. You probably forgot what the story was about, so you had to read it again. Anywho, I hope you enjoyed it. Oh yeah, I need an answer for my question.
Later on, I was thinking of introducing Ryou's cousin, Bakura (Yes he goes by his last name, that will be explained). I wanted to know if I should add him, because if I do, I was thinking of having Malik and Bakura end up together. So get back to me on that and review!