A.N.: All Standard Disclaimers Apply… Thanks to the people who reviewed.
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Chapter 1
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"Haha…well, you must be relieved Yuugi," laughed Jou, as he listen to Yuugi retell his tale of Yami Yuugi ambushing him in the bathroom and how his grandfather had saved him by walking in on them.
"I'm not sure Jou-kun, what makes you think Yuugi didn't want Yami to jump in?" teased Otogi, gently poking fun as the smallest member of their group as he perched himself on Yuugi's table facing Jou. Yuugi blushed at his comment, almost as if Otogi had hit the nail on the head.
"No way!!" insisted Jou, "I mean Yuugi is normal…he likes girls…like…like…Anzu." The whole group shuddered at the mention of the brown haired girl's name. Granted, she was a good friend, but her obsession with Yami Yuugi was getting a little out of hand. She trailed him where he went, with the exception of the bathroom and Yami Yuugi was seriously getting annoyed with her. He had even regretted sending Bakura to the shadow realm before getting him to deal with her.
"Makeinu…" muttered Kaiba as he walked pass the group. Jou snorted while Otogi smiled at his boyfriend and blew him a kiss. Kaiba blushed and looked away, before he shot a shy smile at his raven-haired beauty. Kaiba's new relationship with Otogi opened many doors for him and he was still tiptoeing into the main doorway. He still wasn't very comfortable when it came to the group. He barely spoke to them still. However, he was VERY adamant about Otogi being his Otogi.
The group was not against homosexual relationships. There were inter-relationships concerning the group itself. For example, Otogi and Seto were a gay couple, while Serenity and Honda were a straight one. At current, Yami Yuugi, more commonly known as just Yami, was on a campaign to get his aibou's attention. Jou was currently single and rather happy about it.
"Hi." A soft greeting came from behind and a smile came to everyone's face. It was Ryou come to join the group.
Everyone greeted the pale boy with warmth and enthusiasm. Of the entire group, Ryou was the only one treated with the most respect and care. Aside from Yami Yuugi, Ryou was usually the one the others went to for advice because he always seemed to sagely, like Yami Yuugi. They were all very protective of him due to his traumatic past with his abusive dark. He was submissive and generally agreeable to everything. He rarely stood up to anyone about anything, but was learning to speak for himself. He still spoke little and only when necessary, but his words were usually heeded with care because they tended to be intelligent and constructive comments. However, he was more open now that his dark was no longer around to torment him.
"I think you should stop teasing Yuugi-kun, he's blushing so hard that his brain can't function cause there's not enough blood." If anything, no one could have predicted that the soft-spoken boy could be such a tease.
He took his seat next to Jou and joined in their conversation with some interest.
"I think you should stop torturing him Yuugi," said Ryou quietly, "I'm sure he knows that you know" Otogi's eyes twinkled as he said, "Ah, but does Yami know that Yuugi knows that he knows that Yuugi knows?" Ryou laughed softly as he replied, "Yes, I'm pretty sure that Yami knows that Yuugi knows that Yami knows that he knows Yami knows."
"Really now? But does Yami know that Yuugi knows that he knows that Yuugi knows he knows that Yuugi knows he knows…" retaliated Otogi as Ryou cut in, "Yes, I'm sure that Yami knows that Yuugi knows that he knows that Yuugi knows he knows that Yuugi knows he knows that he knows Yuugi knows that he knows."
"But are you absolutely sure that Yami…"
"Arrghhh!!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!!" howled Jou as he pretended to tear his hair out, "STOP IT!!! STOP IT BEFORE I KILL YOU BOTH!!!!!" Otogi looked over to him and laughed before saying, "You try mutt and…"
"And I'll kill you." A soft growl caused Jou to swallow somewhat nervously. He wasn't afraid of Kaiba. Really. But cross the line with his lover and even Jou was afraid of what he might do. Somewhere between the Ryou and Otogi's banter, Kaiba had made his way over to his boyfriend with the supposed intent of stopping the conversation [sometimes Otogi and Ryou just took it too far…]. The group laughed as Kaiba glared at Jou from behind Otogi's shoulder while shyly sneaking a kiss to his boyfriend's cheek.
Ryou watched the exchange fondly a small smile touching his rosy lips. Suddenly he doubled over in his seat, his arms wrapped around his abdomen as he gasped for air. With a soft groan, he attempted to straighten up in his seat.
"Ryou…are you alright?" asked Otogi worriedly, as he stood next to his best friend. Ryou shot his friend a soft smile and allowed Otogi to wrap his arms around his shoulders to support him as he tried to stand, wordlessly, understanding his friend unspoken intentions.
"Ya…" gasped Ryou as he drew in deep breaths, his chest heaving in and out as he shakily reached out one hand for support. Everyone watched, eyes filled with concern and were eager to help, but knew better than to make a commotion of what was going on but crowding in on the best friends.
Otogi wrapped his arms around Ryou and gently pulled him against his body, forcing Ryou to support himself with Otogi's body. A low growl came from Kaiba but it was cut short when Otogi shot him an annoyed look. Then, as suddenly as the attack started it stopped. It was only a matter of seconds before Ryou was breathing normally again and able to stand up more easily with Otogi's help.
"Ryou?" Otogi glanced at his friend, the unsaid question hanging in the air. Ryou give his friend a smile trying to reassure him that he was all right.
Suddenly, Ryou's eyes rolled to the back of his head as he clawed at his chest, over his heart. With a loud moan the alabaster boy fainted, his dead weight pulling Otogi to the ground with him.
"RYOU!!!"
"Oh my God…"
"Jou go get the nurse!!"
"Ryou get up! Ryou!!"
"Forget the nurse, we have to get him to the hospital NOW!!"
"Blue Eyes!!"
"Bring the car round the school gate, I need to get to the hospital."
Ryou's POVI can hear them calling me…
What's going on…
It's dark here…
I can feel something. It's as if something in my heart, no…my soul is moving.
I gasped for air as it is suddenly forced out of me, forcing me to my knees. My hands fly to my throat.
I can't breathe. I gasp erratically, trying to draw as much air in to me as I can.
After a while, breathing becomes an easier task. I struggle weakly to my feet. I know this place. It's….it's the Shadow Realm!
How did I get here? Why am I here?
A let out a strangled scream as a piercing arrow of electric pain shoots through my soul. I fall to one knee, one hand clutched over my heart, while the other supports me, forcing myself to remember to breathe all throughout.
I've experienced this before…
It…
It…
It can't be.
No!!
Yami Yuugi said…Yami Yuugi said that he would never return.
No
No
No
No
A hazy figure appears before me, with its arms stretched out and a plaintive expression on its face, begging for help.
I know this face.
It's mine.
NO~~~~~!!!!!!!!!!!
A.N: My computer tried to change Kaiba to Kayla, Yami to Yam and Aibou to Caribou …strange ain't it?