Squeak! 'nother update for my loves. Ra praise the ones who have stuck with me through this escapade. Yay! Dancing! Othello cannot guarantee how long this will be. I hope to keep it at about the same length as the previous chapter. That was a nice length, no? Once again the plot thickens:laughs insanely: Ryou's little brush with death is coming up, so hold onto your pantaloons!

Faceless Abuser

"Heaven, I'm in Heaven, And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak; And I seem to find the happiness I seek When we're out together dancing,

cheek to cheek."

-Fred Astaire-

White hair blew in the wind as Ryou trudged down the street. His mind was acting on autopilot to find the way home as other thoughts ran through his mind. The dance, to be precise. His mind whizzed through a hundred different scenarios, none of them were pretty. He was so distracted that he actually passed the house.

"Hey, Ryou, where are you going? The house is right here," Bakura called to his light. Ryou turned around; a faint rose blush crept up on his cheeks.

"Oh, yeah, right. Thanks Bakura," Ryou turned back to the house. He stepped lightly up the steps but was stopped by Bakura grabbing his hand.

"What's on your mind, Ryou? It isn't like you to miss the house," Bakura pulled on his hand to make him sit down. The platinum blonde complied with his yami's tugging. It would be hard to explain, he wasn't even sure he could explain his predicament to Bakura.

"Well, my school is hosting a dance this weekend. I want to go with someone but I'm too scared to ask the person. See, they can be really hot headed sometimes and might take it the wrong way. It would be really bad if the person did because they might do something horrible to me," he explained softly, chocolate orbs glued to the ground. Bakura was actually quite intelligent; he would figure it out quickly enough. Ryou wanted his yami to be his date to the dance.

"Forget it, Ryou. I won't go with you," the spirit spat out the words like venom. "Why should I go with you anyway? Because I care about you? The hell I do. You go with all your little friends. Or better yet, go find some chick to go with you."

His chocolate brown optics closed as his fists clenched tightly. He knew that would the answer. That was always going to be the answer. Bakura simply didn't care about him. It was totally understandable. Who could love him? Certainly not his friends. Sure, they cared about him but they didn't love him. Not in the way Ryou needed to be loved, at least.

"I understand, Bakura. Sorry to have bothered you about it," he let the words, the lie, flow gently from his lips. Standing, he walked up to the door and into the house. Tears were threatening to fall down his cheeks, though he wouldn't let them fall. The teenager fought back the tears viciously.

There was a resounding slam as a door shut in the upstairs. Ryou threw himself onto the bed and screamed into a pillow. Life really must have hated him. What did he ever do to get on its bad side? Did he not celebrate living enough? Not take part in the opportunities presented to him enough? Whatever. Platinum hair swished gently as he got up from the bed and retrieved his knife. More, that was all he could think of. More cuts, more pain, more relief. Red lines appeared as Ryou made the knife dance across his skin.

There was a sick sense of satisfaction as the light did this. A twisted smile painted his face. Maybe it was somewhere between a grimace and a smile. It didn't really matter what it was. It didn't suit Ryou's elegant features, not at all.

The cutting was finished soon enough and he washed away the blood from his arm. Ryou changed into some sleeping clothing. Tomorrow was going to be the night of the dance. The school had quite literally sprung it upon the students. Many of the girls had complained that one day wasn't enough time. Their teacher had simply shrugged and said that the school didn't care about the time frame problem. Ryou closed his eyes tightly and sighed. Forget it. Just forget it. There's no reason to keep thinking about. You'll just go by yourself. Maybe someone else will dance with you, the hikari sniffled and let himself slide into the abyss.

He didn't dream this night, for which he was silently thankful. He knew that he would probably have dreamed about that night if he did. There it was. Always haunting every step Ryou took. Echoing in the wind through every breeze. There was honestly no escaping the memory. He could run as long and as far as he wanted, but it would still be there, waiting for the light and laughing cruelly all the while.

(time lapse)

School had been dismissed early today to allow the students time to get ready for the dance. Not that it mattered anyway. No one was paying attention throughout the entire day. All the girls were too busy trying to find dates and gossiping about who was going with whom. What they were going to wear and other such silliness. A few people had asked Ryou if he was going. The teenager simply answered with a shrug and continued on to his invisible destination.

When school had been let out, Ryou sighed and began the short march home. He preferred to walk. Walking gave him time to think. Anzu had pestered the platinum blonde all day about going with Malik. Malik had finally threatened to cut her outfit to ribbons during the dance if she didn't stop. She quit rather suddenly after that, though still insisted and grumbled that the Egyptian and Ryou were going out.

Deep brown eyes closed as Ryou let out an exasperated sigh. He could hear Anzu calling for him to wait up, which resulted in him speeding up. Though Malik and his motorcycle shortly stopped him from pressing on.

"Get on," the Egyptian held out a hand. Ryou didn't question since he could hear Anzu still chasing after him. He quickly grabbed the hand and hoisted a leg over. Malik took off quickly down the street. He headed towards the platinum blonde's home, about an hour long walk so about twenty minutes by car…or, in this case, motorcycle. Malik stopped right in front of the steps for Ryou. The light got off the motorcycle and stood in front of Malik.

"Thanks for the ride," he smiled lightly at the other. Malik nodded but didn't take off just yet.

"Do you need a ride to the dance tonight? I'll take you if you like," he offered.

"I could use a ride, yeah. Thanks," Ryou smiled once again as he watched Malik nod and take off down the road.

"I saw that," was the first thing he heard when he stepped through the door. Bakura was glaring at Ryou, which he shrugged off nonchalantly.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Bakura."

"Bullshit. What did Malik want? You stood out there long enough talking," he growled.

"Calm down, Bakura. He was just offering me a ride to the dance tonight. I'm sure you remember that," Ryou sighed. There was no escaping the interrogation now. Bakura obviously suspected something was up between the two of them.

"Don't mock me, Ryou. You know better than that. Why was he offering you a ride?"

"Because we're friends, Bakura! Why else would he offer me a ride? For goodness sake, you sound like you're jealous or something!" Ryou's voice rose a tad. He was tired of being questioned about Malik. They were friends! Just because he had taken a nap on him does not mean that there was anything intimate going on between them. If there were, he would have asked Malik to the dance instead of Bakura.

"I'm not jealous!" Bakura screeched out as he slapped Ryou, hard. The light yelped and held a hand up to his cheek. It hurt, throbbed.

"Then stop acting like you want to know if Malik and I are an item. Then, and only then, will I believe that you aren't jealous," Ryou sighed, still holding his reddened cheek. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get ready for the dance. Malik will be back in a few hours."

Ryou trudged up the stairs to dress and make himself up. He came down around two hours later. Black. That was all he could be described as. He wore loose yet clingy pants that hugged his waist. There were white straps wrapped around the pant legs in random spots. The long sleeved shirt was just about the same. It hugged the light's slim figure, again with white straps covering the sleeves in random places. His already pale skin glowed against all the black. Ryou also wore a pair of black combat boots.

And makeup. Oh, there was makeup. Eyeliner could be seen under his eyes and designs graced the side of his face. An extremely small amount of glitter, probably from a Halloween past, shone in the kitchen light. Ryou's lips were a dim red colour. It was almost impossible to tell that it was actually Ryou. Sweet, sweet Ryou. The innocent and beautiful teen that the world had always known.

Bakura looked him up and down with a rather bewildered expression. "Ryou, when did you buy those clothes? And that makeup?"

"When I went shopping that one time, Bakura. Now, tell me what you think," Ryou made a small smile appear on his features. In all honesty, Bakura didn't think Ryou looked human anymore. His features stuck out in all the right places, giving him a sort of elfish look.

"You look fine," Bakura grumbled as the doorbell rang.

"Oh, that'll be Malik. Well, I'll see you later, Bakura," Ryou waved at his yami and opened the door to smiled brightly at Malik. "Shall we?"

"Uhm, sure. Ryou, you look a bit different from what I expected you would look like."

"Oh? Is it bad? I was just going for a new style," Ryou looked himself over a bit.

"No, it isn't bad. Just different. Well, let's get going," Malik shrugged and headed back down to his motorcycle. Ryou followed, got on and they both headed towards the school, leaving Bakura alone.

(random scene change)

Marik walked the street, scowling at just about everyone. The kind of scowl that would send chills up and down one's spine. He was heading over the home shared by both Ryou and Bakura. The latter had called him and asked him to come over for a bit. This had better be good. He knows I detest leaving the house for any reason, Marik continued to walk and glare at the passerby. The house came up quickly and the yami grumpily walked up the steps, knocking on the door.

"Bakura? Open the damned door. You asked me over, now let me in," he growled out. I couple kids jumped at the voice and hurried on by. There was still no reply from Bakura. Growling once again, Marik kicked in the door. He was suddenly grabbed by a set of invisible hands.

"Did you put him up to it?" Came an angry voice in the dark.

"Who is 'him'? What the hell are you on, Bakura? I haven't put anybody up to anything lately."

"Don't bullshit me. You put Malik up to asking Ryou to the dance, didn't you," he pale yami accused. He was beyond being irrational currently.

"Dance? Seriously, Bakura, what gives? Malik said he was giving a friend a ride to the school dance. Then he'd give him a ride home after it was over," Marik growled as he pried his shirt free of Bakura's grasp, before sniffing the air. "Are you drunk?"

"No, I'm drinking," Bakura answered in a hiss, letting Marik actually walk into the house.

"Same difference. What's up? You don't drink this much unless something's bothering you. Might as well spit it out and not beat around the bush. What's gotten you into such a tizzy?"

"You're as blunt as ever, I see," he grumbled, flopping onto the couch.

"Like an axe. So, what's on your mind?"

"Ryou and Malik. Do you think they're going out?"

"What makes you think that? Ryou say something?" Marik looked oddly at Bakura.

"No, but he dressed up tonight and seemed unusually happy when Malik came to the door. It was just a ride, he said. I just can't get it out of my mind," he groaned out.

"I see now. You're jealous of Malik. You like Ryou, don't you," Marik grinned. Now he was interested. Bakura rarely showed any interest in anyone.

"I'm not jealous! And I don't like him," was all he had for a weak defense.

"Pfft. Yeah, sure you aren't, Bakura. Ryou can't be going out with Malik by the way."

"What? Why?"

"Because he's going out with someone else currently. Last he told me he was, anyways," the yami grinned in reply. "Now, get your sorry ass up and off that couch."

"Why the hell should I? I've got no reason to," the other yami growled and closed his eyes.

"Because, if you don't get up this instant, I'm going to drag you to that school dance as you are. And if you should lose articles of clothing along the way, you'll have to suck it up and deal. You, my friend, are going to get up, get dressed and go have a good time with Ryou."

"Don't I wish. Ryou's too afraid of me, Marik. I did some things to him that I can't ever take back…"

"What did you do now?" This was beginning to get annoying, which he made clear with a frustrated sigh.

"I…Well, I raped him for one. Then, I was abusive to him for some great length of time," Bakura sighed out the confession.

"You need to get a life. Please, do me that favor. Ever think that maybe Ryou likes you and the reason he's acting so close with Malik is to get your attention? Or are you too stupid to even try that one?"

"Shut the fuck up, Marik."

"No. No, I won't. Now get your ass off that couch and to that dance."

"Damn you and your out of character helpfulness."

"What can I say? You be stupid, I be stupid. It's life, quite unfortunately," the Egyptian yami grinned. The other yami pushed himself up and headed towards the door…and to the dance…

(random scene change)

A lone, scruffy figure walked through the doors of the high school's gym. There was loud music blasting, allowing many teens to form groups and dance. Most were in a sort of formal type of dress. This made it easy to pick out Ryou and Malik, who were both wearing clothes that would suit someone going raving.

There was a sudden flurry of whispers as the figure walked into the crowd and towards Ryou. The afore mentioned teen didn't notice at first, and if he did, he ignored the figure trudging towards him. Malik noticed it though and pointed it out to Ryou quite hastily.

"Ryou, Bakura is here," he whispered as the music slowed to a stop. The light turned to see his yami walking towards him, looking rather amused. He didn't move as Bakura finally reached them and grinned. A slow song started.

"Mind if I take over, Malik?" Bakura barely flicked his eyes to the Egyptian. Ryou appeared to be a bit confused.

"Uh, no. Go right ahead, Bakura."

"Bakura…what…?" Ryou seemed to be totally lost now. The yami said nothing as he wrapped an arm around his hikari's waist and used his free hand to gently grasp Ryou's. With the music to lead him, Bakura began to slowly move and dance with Ryou.

Ryou caught on quickly enough what Bakura was doing. He let himself be led in the dance, smiling lightly. It was what he'd wanted to happen before and now it was.

"I though you wouldn't be caught dead here…"

"I can make exceptions sometimes," Bakura growled in reply. "Now, shut up and dance."

"Pfft. Yes, Bakura," Ryou giggled as the song continued on. They danced and people stared. The two appeared to be at peace as they danced. Most of the students couldn't understand it. The scruffy one had slapped Ryou only a few days before yet the teen was smiling while being led in a dance by the attacker. Malik smiled. It was perfect. There was a sudden poke to his ribs. Anzu.

"What Manzaki?" He growled, good mood now ruined.

"Why is Ryou dancing with Bakura instead of you?" she whispered curiously.

"Because Ryou wants to dance with him, okay? What does it matter to you anyways?"

"But I thought you to were going out…"

"No. You assumed that we were going out. Manzaki, you need to get a brain. Since when did I ever show any interest in Ryou as something more than a fried? Never," Malik hissed at Anzu, making her shrink back a bit. Taking that as the cue to leave, she did so.

The dance slowly came to an end; Ryou and Bakura were standing alone on the dance floor. Many students watched excitedly, hoping that maybe the two would kiss. That was mostly the girls but all of Ryou's friends seemed very interested at what was going to happen next. Ryou took a deep breath before leaning up to gently plant a kiss on Bakura's lips. A sharp slapping sound and a yelp followed.

Ryou's body could be seen in a heap on the floor. He was shaking and a few girls gasped in surprise. Malik's eyes had widened as he ran to Ryou to help him up. There was a small amount of tears running down Ryou's cheeks. That was all it took to ruin the designs he'd drawn on his face.

"Bakura, what…?"

"When did I ever say you could kiss me? Don't assume things just because I came to dance with you. It was just for kicks, Ryou. Do you honestly think I would come here because you asked me to? Please! Get rid of those damned hopes already! I told you what you are in my book. Don't think that's about to change,' Bakura spat at his light angrily. Ryou trembled in Malik's hold.

"I understand, Bakura. I'm sorry for assuming such a silly thing. Please forgive me. After all, you made me into your whore," Ryou spat back at Bakura. He was done being the little weakling that was picked on. Malik let go of Ryou and backed away. Several students had looks of horror on their faces. Bakura's eyes were wide.

"Ryou..what…what's gotten into you?" He watched the shaking teen.

"Oh? Don't you remember, Bakura? Maybe you were too drunk to remember but I do. I remember because every single night I dream about it again and again. How you took away the last thing I had pride in. The last thing I could say was pure and waiting for someone I actually loved. You took away the last shred of innocence I had," tears were falling like made from Ryou's face now. There was a deep silence among the students. Now they were all horrified. Ryou was raped? Sweet, wonderful Ryou was stripped bare to the bone?

Bakura choked on the words. Of course he remembered that night. Even when he was smashed, he could remember the night through a haze. Bakura hadn't been smashed that night, only drunk.

"You abuse me, Bakura. And if that weren't enough, you make me abuse myself," Ryou rolled up a sleeve of his shirt and let his scars and cuts show. Designs and words were clearly visible. His friend's had gone pale. The other random girls in the room turned away, fearing they would be sick if they continued to watch.

"So, who's that bigger monster? Me or you? Tell me, Bakura! Tell me!" Ryou screamed. Oh, yes, he was hysterical now. He had just told practically the entire school's population that he had been raped…And that he cut himself. Ryou shook his head and ran out the door. He was ready to do home. The light continued to speed towards his home. He reached it soon enough and threw open the main door. Ryou raced up the stairs, moving quickly into his room to once again pull out his knife.

"Good night world. Good night friends. I'll miss you all. Goodbye," Ryou whispered and winced as he slashed his wrists. Blood came pouring out. It would be all over soon. So very soon, he would be free of everything. The light lay down on his bed as his world became hazy. He never even noticed as a fading form rushed into the room. All he knew was that it had picked up something Ryou assumed was the phone and dialed a number. Then, his world went dark…

Dun, dun, dun! No, Ryou isn't dead. I just thought that would make a good cliff hanger. :laughs evilly: It was a crappy chapter. I'm sorry about that. I tried my best to make it at least okay for you, my loves. I'll try harder on the next chapter. Much love and always, Othello.