Woohoo! This story finally has over 10,000 views and over 100 reviews, couldn't have done it without you guys so big props and applause to you all! *throws confetti and gives cookies to everyone* I didn't expect this story to become this popular so thank you, I will continue to work hard on them. Please do tell me if there are any suggestions or critiques, I'm all the more willing to accept them! XD To celebrate this wonderful achievement, I have prepared a special 'present' for you all right after this chapter so hope you all like it! ^^ Now for the info:
Beta: (She's busy again so un-beta for now)
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Keys:
"Talks"
'Thoughts'
Chapter 14: Tutors
In an untimely sunrise when a teenager woke up earlier than expected he had intended to start his mission by meeting his three cousins and have a private discussion with them but things wouldn't go his way. Just as he was about to open the front door and stepped outside...
"Yami? Where are you going?"
Said teen spun round to meet his younger look-alike who stood on the stairway with a puzzled expression written on his face. He wore a dark purple short-sleeved hoodie on the outside and on the inside, a freshly new sleeveless white tee-shirt with black wordings of "Game Rulez" printed on the middle. Tight midnight-blue pants hugged his legs comfortably with a watch encircling his right wrist and a blue bracelet encircling his left; let's not forget his favourite black leather belt around his waist too. Yami on the other hand was wearing a simple sleeveless crimson shirt, a black leather belt similar to Yugi's and long but firm brown pants.
"Oh, I'm just...going out to pick some fruits nearby for breakfast." That was the first thing that came into the ruby-eyed adolescent's mind as it was his routine and therefore, an unforgettable habit he carried out every morning...
"Why do you have to do that? You can have breakfast with the rest of us."
...until these Newcastle students stepped into their humble home.
"My friends and I have already considered preparing breakfast for you and your cousins ever since we heard your tent has been destroyed by the storm so you don't have to go look for food." Yugi explained briefly with a light chuckle as he descended down the steps.
Yami couldn't help but feeling guilty when he heard those words. "Thank you so much for that, you guys have been so kind as to provide meals for us and a place to sleep in..."
"Don't mention it and it's not your fault that you lost your tent." When he reached the bottom of the ladder, he sent Yami a smile as bright as sunshine. "Besides, that's what friends do. We help each other out in tough times..."
'...And you have helped me so much back then, I still can't thank you enough so this is the least I can do for you.' Were the words left unsaid in Yugi's speech.
"We appreciate that, thank you." Yami replied with a grateful expression and an equally dazzling smile on his charismatic features which made the shorter of the two ducked his head shyly but he looked up once again when he heard Yami's next words.
"However, I would still like to pick some fruits for us, you have to admit that fruits that grow in the forest are much tastier and healthier compared to the city, right?"
He must think of a way to escape from the tent without his new friend's suspicion while at the same time, able to give out an excuse as to why he will take some time outside before coming back here...was what the crimson-eyed youth thought of.
"Hmmm...You're right but I don't think it's safe to go out alone. Should I go with you or ask the others to come with us? I'll be sure to bring my bag along this time." With that Yugi turned around and was about to sprint towards his bedroom when Yami called out his name.
"You don't have to do that; I can just call my cousins out and find the fruits together since we are more familiar with this place." The taller teenager suggested with a smile. "So you can make breakfast for the both of us." After a short pause, he added, "Or we can invite everyone here and eat together."
'That sounds like what a husband and wife normally do for some reason.' Yami thought inwardly whilst awkwardly scratching the back of his head. Little did he know that Yugi was having the same thought so without hesitation, he hid his blush by turning around once more and strode towards the kitchen but not before answering,
"Okay, I'll call my friends and prepare the ingredients right away!"
"Thanks."
"Oh...and Yami?"
"Hmm?" When Yami spun round, he could only see Yugi's back but what made him smile more was his next response.
"Please be back safely."
"Will do."
With that, Yami left the tent with a grin that could make any girl faint but his expression changed drastically when he saw the people he was looking for were standing below the tree closest to Yugi's tent.
When the smallest Elemental of the four reached his destination, Yami immediately voiced out his first thought. "Sorry for making you guys wait so long."
"It's fine, we have just arrived a few minutes earlier actually but what surprises me is Bakura and Marik came out before I do." The brunet known as Seto Kaiba answered with a raised brow and a questioning glance directed to the white-haired and golden-haired striplings.
"That shrimp, Ryou said he can handle things himself so I said that I want to get some fresh air outside and he agreed to let me go."
Probably because Bakura's predatory stare and weird behaviour disturbed him greatly so he was relieved when his older 'twin' made that request.
"Mal said I will always bring trouble to him so he told me to get out. I said okay and left the tent immediately."
Definitely because of the cooking incident that made Malik all the more wanted his counterpart to get as far away from the kitchen as possible.
"Mal?" Yami asked promptly with an amused expression painted on his face but it was Seto's retort and terrifying glare that triggered Marik's fright.
"Trouble? What trouble did you caused that made him angry so much as to kick you out?"
"Erm...Seto, this may not be the right time to ask him these questions." Marik was about to express his eternal love and thankfulness to Yami until he heard the ruby-eyed teen's next response.
"We'll deal with him later." Marik could have sworn that he saw an evil spark flashing through both Seto's and Yami's eyes, maybe it was just his imagination. "So what about you, Seto?"
After releasing a frustrated sigh, he said, "Wheeler is still asleep so I left a note saying that I'm going out to pick some fruits and that's it, but I doubt that he cares of where I go or where I have disappeared to anyway."
Nobody could understand why Joey's and Seto's relationship turned out this way so they just shrugged it off and walked towards the West side of the forest where most of the best fruits could be found.
The Elementals were having a solemn conversation whilst at the same moment, collecting fruits from tall trees and berries from bushes. As the discussion was coming close to conclusion, they had to decide hastily on their next step and thus, their next move in discovering more about the newcomers' secrets and intentions.
"Mission huh? I knew those guys can't be trusted from the start." The Water Elemental stated with a growl as his hands turned into shaking fists, his expression showed nothing but resentment. "Nobody has stepped into the forest for years until they came and they are giving us impressions that they are normal college students working on their projects but why do they have to go through all that trouble?" Everything stayed motionless as his three cousins waited for his answer and after what seemed like forever, he finally uttered the one single sentence with dread dripping in his tone.
"There is no mistake; they are here for The Elementals."
That was the one possibility that terrified them the most.
"Hey...maybe there are other reasons, it doesn't have to be that-"
"Then can you tell me WHY they chose this forest specifically to study nature? WHY can't they do it in the city where libraries, colleges, museums can help them learn more about it? Or use THE internet to find the information they want? WHY do they waste so much money and effort into going outside Japan and without any adults accompanying them? Even if the woodland has gotten lesser and lesser due to the increase of human population, there are nonetheless plenty of them to choose from but WHY here? I'm sure there is more than enough information you can collect from internet and libraries, so much that you can find absolutely anything in there! And it saves you more time than staying in the jungle and investigates things yourself! Also, they're teenagers, they are only 18. Coming from a faraway place all by themselves is dangerous and no parent allow their children to do that unless they keep it a secret from them of course."
It was a wonder that Seto could remain composed despite the fact that he had used almost all of his energy into delivering such a long speech but nevertheless, he has effectively shut Marik's mouth and the stillness took over once again with each of them contemplating on what they should do next.
"I guess we just have to strike them first before they have the chance to strike us back." Stated the only teen with pale lilac coloured eyes.
"That's obvious, idiot!" Bakura exclaimed whilst rolling his eyes. "But the question is HOW? We can't show our powers as that will reveal our identity straight away and make us go right into their trap! And we still don't know who they actually are and why they are targeting us?"
"You're right, Bakura." The star-shaped haired adolescent muttered with eyes ogling at the grass that he had stepped on. "These are all assumptions because there are no proofs that our theories are right." Then he looked up and stared at his three cousins with his piercing crimson irises that showed nothing but seriousness. "But we cannot ignore the fact that they indeed have a mission in hand, as Grandpa told me last night. He has given us clues like "using powers" and "around them" so I am absolutely sure and believe his words are true. Besides, I hate to say this but what Seto said makes a lot of sense." Yami's expression grew grim at that.
"Are you sure that you are hearing things right? Maybe you get the wrong message..."
Yami's lethal glare has made Marik shut his mouth for the second time.
"Even if he didn't hear things right, I am 100% sure that my hypothesis is correct." The brown-haired youngster announced with confidence radiated around him. "Now the things we should worry about are...what exactly is their mission and if the target really is The Elementals, what will they do to us and why?"
No one knew the answer but what they were most certain about was...
Their mission was now set into motion.
-After breakfast with the Newcastle Students-
It seemed that none of the element-power users were expecting this to happen at all.
"Become your tutors?" Seto inquired as the 4 older teens gazed at their counterparts with searching looks.
"Yes, we need help in solving some questions in our science project if you don't mind." Answered the shortest teen among the group, Yugi Mutou.
"And why can't you do it yourselves? Besides, we are taking different courses and hence, learning different things from you." Came the brunet's stern comeback.
"That's true but you guys are also taking Science Stream like us yet highly advanced so you will receive more information than what we have learnt in our courses." Ryou replied judiciously whilst inwardly hoping that they would accept their requests.
"Yeah and I'm certain that the things you've learnt in Bachelor Science and the things we've learnt in A-Levels aren't so far-fetched right?" Malik added with a light-hearted grin and his two arms placing at the back of his head.
"Didn't you bring any study materials like laptops and books with you?" This time it was Yami's turn to ask.
"We did bring along some E-Books but there are some things we don't understand so we would appreciate if you can help us explain." Joey said with his eyes narrowing more when Kaiba stared back with equal amount of irritation. "Plus, if you don't help us, we can't finish our project in time!"
"Joey!" Ryou yelled before he let out a regretful sigh and said, "We are actually planning to tell you right after lunch but thanks to him..." He rolled his chocolate-brown eyes at the playboy who gave him a sheepish grin in return. "We have to say it now, we are going back home on Friday morning instead of Sunday afternoon."
Then it was back to Yugi to take over the clarification. "That means we have two more days before we leave this place so this is why we have to complete our project before that day comes as we can't do that once we reach our homes because we have other plans later on, therefore please become our tutors for a day?"
That was how The Elementals found themselves becoming the Newcastle student's tutors but not before witnessing the sight of said four students begging like lost puppies with their very own puppy eyes of doom. Yugi and his friends had decided to work on their group project separately instead of discussing in groups as it would speed things up and helped them concentrate more so they had each been given a tutor to teach individually. As to what kind of tutors The Elementals were? Let's find out.
-In Yugi's room-
"Using this formula given in this particular experiment, we can assume that both plant cell A and plant cell B are sharing the same solution potential with the water potential of the plant cell C being an estimation of -1120 kPA." The taller of the two, Yami elucidated intelligently whilst writing some calculations and notes onto the book with Yugi, the shorter 'twin' sitting on his left listening to every word he said.
"I see, so that's how it goes."
"Yeah, and for the second question, there is a rapid increase of hydrogen peroxide because the numbers of substrate and enzyme molecules are large; hence they can easily bind to the active site of the enzymes but the gradient become less steep due to the enzymes being a limiting factor."
"Oh, that's why the graph shows a curve-shaped instead of a straight line."
"That's right."
"Thank you so much, Yami. I couldn't have done it without your help." Yugi said with a gratifying smile plastered on his cherubic face.
"It's no trouble at all." The Fire Elemental replied with his captivating grin which yet again made Yugi's smile widen. "Now as for question 3..."
"Uh...Yami." The amethyst-eyed youth waited for his 'tutor' to look up before he continued. "I haven't looked into that question yet."
"It's alright, we can solve it together or I can tell you the shortcut straight away. So this is how it goes..."
'Yami should have let me try and work out the problem first but he's giving me answers right away.' Mused the student with a sweatdrop on his forehead. 'Now I feel like a spoiled child receiving candies from a doting mother, I wonder how the others are doing right now.'
-In Joey's room-
"I don't know..."
"You DON'T KNOW?" If looks could kill, Joey would have been dead by now.
"B-but, I really don't-"
"Don't you give me that pathetic excuse!" The world's strictest, fiercest tutor in the whole world (in Joey's opinion) was now giving him his most terrorizing glare that would make a formidable lion squirmed in fear as he pointed a large picture presented in front of the student using a pointy, sharp stick that came from nowhere. "Think using that stupid, worthless brain of yours!"
"Hey, I'm not stupid and worthless!"
"Then prove it to me by answering this question!"
Joey hummed with his eyes closed as he tried to recall the lessons he had learnt in class and before Kaiba went on a rampage once again, he immediately yelled his answer with his index finger aimed at the picture.
"That's Xylem!"
After a full minute of unbearable pause, a loud sigh resounded throughout the room.
"That's correct."
"Yes!" Joey whooped in joy as he stood up immediately and did his victory dance. "I knew I can get it right! I just need some time to think." He then gave Kaiba a self-satisfied look.
"Anyone could have answered that question easily; even an elementary kid knows that!" The Water Elemental retorted as he released yet another aggravated sigh.
Feeling a twitch of anger forming on his head, Joey was about to snap back at him when the brunet pointed another picture and asked, "What about this?"
"I don't know..."
A facepalm and a lone thought of Joey being the worst college student in history was the result of hearing that comment.
-In Ryou's room-
"How about question 5(a)? Suggest the reason why the rate of water movement in an intact shoot is less than that measured in the potometer?"
"Do it yourself."
Every time Ryou asked a question, his counterpart would give him the same reply as Bakura felt that it was too troublesome explaining things to him.
After letting go an exasperating pout towards Bakura, all he said was, "You're supposed to be my tutor so act like one and help me decipher this question."
"For your information, I'm forced to be one. Also, this subject is boring."
'Why am I stuck with this person again?' Ryou mused but he already knew the answer at the back of his mind. 'Oh right, he's my roommate but how can I make him teach me willingly?'
After mulling over on what he should do to convince Bakura to teach him, an imaginary light bulb abruptly materialized on top of his head.
"Hey Bakura." Waiting for the taller teen to look at him, he then said, "I'll cook or bake anything you want for a whole day if you can help me finish this project."
All the Air Elemental did was smirking back at him and answered complacently, "If that will convince me to teach you then you're sorely mistaken."
"Watching any movies you want in the Theatre Room?"
"Not enough."
"Any books or comics you would like to read?"
"I'm not a bookworm like you so no."
"Play any types of games you want for the whole afternoon?"
"Tempting but still, the answer is no."
Okay, now he was out of options...was what Ryou thought so he used his last resort.
"Fine, I'll ask Kaiba or Yami to help me if you don't, I bet they can teach me much better than you can."
That somehow did the trick as the older stripling suddenly stood up and walked over to Ryou's table.
"Who says I can't teach you? I only said that because it's too tiresome to do the explaining. Give me the book."
'It looks like he values his pride much more than I thought.' Ryou cogitated whilst smiling secretly. 'Surprisingly he can be a good tutor when he wants to be.'
-In Malik's Room-
"I don't know..."
"What? You DON'T KNOW?" This occurrence has happened not too long ago, didn't it?
"How can you tell me that you don't know when you have taken a course much more advanced than mine and therefore, should be more knowledgeable than me?" Shouted the younger of the two, Malik Ishtar.
"This subject is so dull to me so I don't bother learning this part of the lesson seriously." Marik admitted while at the same time, scratching the back of his head. He could tell that his shorter companion was about to blow up any time soon. "Can I go out now?"
Seeing Malik's current expression made him closed his mouth for the third time of the day. "You will never leave this room until my project is done, you hear me?"
"Aye." Was all the Earth Elemental could utter from his quavering mouth.
"Now tell me what I should do for this problem." Seeing all those numbers and formulas made Marik's eyes swirled in confusion. He was never good in mathematics when it came to Biology but excellent when it came to Chemistry, strange wasn't it?
"I don't know about the calculations part." Marik answered with truthfulness in his voice. "But I can answer the rest of the questions I think."
"Really?"
This was due to the fact that the professor has made sure to drill all of the information on the subject of plants into Marik's poor brain by having a hellish teaching every day after school ever since he received his elemental power. Thus the reason why he thought this subject was boring was because he already knew all of those facts.
'This guy is so strange.' Malik ruminated with mystification plastered on his features as he watched Marik's weird handwriting gliding along the page. 'But at least he is not completely useless.'
-After lunch-
The day was spent on tutoring Yugi and his friends but also looking for clues to crack their true identities. However, their plans did not work so far.
'It's like they have intended to hide everything from the start.' The Fire Elemental thought with apprehension and disturbance mixed in his crimson eyes, he was roaming around the kitchen for snacks and taking his time checking out the place. 'If it's me, I would keep something secretive by my side like the necklace I'm wearing.' Then all of a sudden, an idea popped into his head. 'Maybe...'
When Yami was about to move out of the kitchen, footsteps were drawing closer to his location along with an angelic, clear voice.
"Yami? What are you doing in the kitchen?" His purple-eyed friend asked inquisitively when he pushed the kitchen's double doors opened.
"Just looking for some snacks." Was a simple response uttered by none other than his look-alike. "I hope you don't mind."
"Of course I don't, please treat yourself at home." Yugi replied back with his regularly joyful smile but that ended as quickly as a flash when he hastily grabbed Yami's right shoulder and pulled him close.
"Don't look back." The purple-eyed youngster whispered softly in his left ear as he reached for his laser pen in his pocket and without hesitation, shot the big, black spider with fatal accuracy on the wall behind Yami's back. Poisonous purplish smoke oozed out from the spider's body so Yugi swiftly took Yami's right hand and dragged him away from danger though his eyes never leave the creature's dead body.
As soon as Yugi was done switching on the air filter to remove the odour away, he turned back to Yami and said, "Phew...that was so close. The spider was about to attack you behind your back you know...Yami?"
The dumbfounded look was all he could see from his buddy's face. In Yami's mind, only Yugi's whispering words, his hot breath near his sensitive ear and his warm, delicate hand gripping his own filled his brain. However, he snapped out from his thoughts when he realized something has happened that should not been seen by his 'twin'.
The temperatures on his lower arms were starting to increase rapidly in an abnormal way.
Luckily Yugi has released his grip on Yami's hand though he was still standing in front of the taller teenager while showing him his naive, enquiring expression. "Are you listening to me, Yami?"
He felt the skin on his fingertips was turning into fire, so what could Yami do in this situation?
"Oh no, there's another dangerous bug on top of you."
The older star-shaped haired youth then wrapped his arms securely around Yugi with his head on Yami's left shoulder.
"Yami?"
"Stay still, Yugi and don't look back. It's the same spider as before."
"Ah, okay." Yugi answered back with a blush creeping onto his cheeks.
After spending a second pretending to search for items in his pocket, Yami had to figure out a plan to fool Yugi while at the same time desperately controlling his powers with all of his might.
'Darn it, the fire is still burning on my hands and now it's spreading up till my elbows. Why can't I control my powers well ever since that incident happened?'
"Is it me or did the room suddenly feels so warm right now?"
"Maybe it's just your imagination, Yugi."
"But I feel that the heat is getting stronger behind my back, what's going on?"
"Nothing serious really, that spider also gives off strong heat it seems."
Yugi clearly did not know much about spiders as he disliked these types of insects ever since he was a little child so he had not done much research about them. He shrugged and listened to Yami's words. "Okay, please hurry and get rid of it."
"Sure." But what could be done when the fire on his arms would not extinguish at all? That's when Yami looked up and saw the one thing that could help him work out his dilemma. He pointed his right index finger that was covered with nothing but fire at the device built on top of the ceiling and shot it down like a gun.
Needless to say, water sprayed all over the ground floor.
"What's happening?" Yugi was about to push Yami away but the older teenager gripped him tightly, not letting him turned around.
"Don't move Yugi. The spider is still there and the poisonous gas will get to your eyes."
Yami's plan was fortunately successful as the water droplets dribbled onto his skin and eventually extinguished the fire on his arms in an instant so his explanation to why this happened?
"That spider released another type of gas that triggers the fire alarm and escaped. I'm sorry that I didn't kill it on the spot."
"It's fine, Yami and thanks a lot for protecting me. We should go change our clothes seeing as we're both wet."
With a light chuckle coming from the two youngsters, Yami's secret was in the end, safe and sound but he was not the only one who had the same problem.
-In Malik's Room-
"What are you doing in the bathroom for so long? I need to use it!"
"I don't feel so good so please use another bathroom."
Their tutoring has changed into massaging treatments as Malik was feeling tired so Marik volunteered to massage his stiff shoulders but things went downhill when Malik unconsciously moaned with pleasure which at the result, had Marik filled with indecent thoughts in his mind and without warning, his body felt tingles all over before he realized the true meaning behind these reactions.
"Ah! I'm going to the bathroom; continue with your work while I'm out."
That occurred 15 minutes ago and Marik has yet to come out from said bathroom.
"You are taking way too long in there and this is the only bathroom that works well, the other one downstairs has problems with the pipes."
'Why did I get into such a difficult situation?' The Earth Elemental cogitated with sweat soaking his forehead as he frantically searched for a way to cut these veins that kept growing and crawling all over his arms and legs because sooner or later, he would turn into a green cocoon and that would not bode him well.
"I'm going to break this door down if you don't come out on the count of 3!"
"No! Wait a minute!"
"1!"
"I said wait a minute!"
"2!"
"Come on please wait-"
"3!"
"UFO in bright daylight!"
Silence...
'Oh, I'm doomed for sure. Sorry, Yami. Sorry, Bakura and so sorry, Seto. Please forgive me and spare my life. Also, please visit me if I'm captured to jail or whatever.' Just as Marik was prepared to face his fate...
"What? WHERE?!"
The sound of footsteps thumping away from the bathroom slowly became non-existent and then stillness took place once more.
'Thank GOD I'm safe! Thank you for sparing my life! I will not eat any meat for one whole day!'
When Malik came back, you know what happens next...but pain in his eardrums and bruises on his entire body were a small price to pay if he was able to keep his secret at last.
That was how the day went with the night ended with another delicious dinner, but then...
-In Yugi's room-
"Do you know how much trouble you give us when you suddenly told us that we have to go back on Friday morning instead of Sunday afternoon?"
That was Joey's yell as they watched a huge hologram that projected from Yugi's watch; it was a young woman the same age as the A-Level students.
"It's not my fault that you guys didn't finish your projects earlier." That was the one sentence no one could disagree with. "I think this is for the best because we have other preparations to carry out during Saturday and Sunday so make sure to do your task right."
All four nods were the response she got.
"Good. Complete your mission, failure is absolutely not an option." The grave tone in her voice left no room for argument.
"And don't be late."
The screen switched off just like that.
"How are we supposed to capture "The Elementals" when we did not get any information about them including the pictures of how they look like?"
"Pipe down, Joey. Unfortunately, all of the important data have been destroyed by the government so we are totally clueless except knowing their element powers."
"Ryou's right but we all know that they are four teenagers like us that live in the woods for years and all we can find are Yami and his cousins. Isn't it proof that they're the ones we're looking for?"
"That's not necessary true, Malik."
All eyes turned to the star-shaped haired youngster.
"For all we know, they might be hiding in the forest since day one. Yami and the others might happen to be just like us, students doing their homework research. We can't afford to make any mistakes here." Yugi paused for a moment before he continued, "However if they really are who we're looking for, we will make them divulge their true self by showing us the powers they have been keeping from us."
As the purple-eyed teen and his classmates conversed among each other on what they should accomplish tomorrow, a pair of eyes observed them intently outside the window with trees acting as camouflage but as soon as Yugi spun his head round, the eyes was out of sight.
To Be Continued...
Another chapter done! *wipes sweat* I have trouble thinking of some ideas for this particular chapter so I hope you all like it! Tell me if there's anything wrong or have any suggestions to spice things up a little, haha! So, about the 'present' I've mentioned earlier it's...A Short Omake (Omake means "Extra Story") that happened in this chapter too! So without further ado, here comes the very first short story of "The Elementals", enjoy!
Omake #1: Fish
Bakura was not afraid of anything, anything at all...
"Dinner is ready!"
Ryou's cheerful voice was the usual alarm that informed them all that foods were served and as hungry and growing teenagers, they went into the dining table like starving wolves ready to devour anything that came in their sight with imaginary drools drenched from their mouths. One by one, the food was set onto the table with glitters and sparkles surrounding each of the comestibles like enchanted spells placed onto them. However, one particular food was dampening a certain teen's mood.
"Oh! We have fish for dinner!" Howled the hungriest of them all by the name of Joey Wheeler. "We haven't had fishes for quite some time!"
"Well, I thought I didn't bring it but it was in my cooling box all along." Ryou said with a chuckle. "Sorry about that."
"It's okay, Ryou. Any other foods you cook are just as good after all." Malik said with eagerness twinkling in his eyes. "And besides, we prefer meat than fish!"
"Hey, fish is good for you so you should eat more too!" There goes another lecture from the food expert, Ryou Bakura.
"Err...guys; we should eat now before it gets cold." Yugi fortunately interfered Ryou's long speech about the goodness of the fishes and its proteins and so everyone sat on his respective seats and started digging until...
"Bakura? Why don't you eat the fish?"
Ignored...
"Is it not good for your appetite?"
Ignored...
"Fish is essential for our health and growth so you should have some."
Ignored...
"I'll grab some for you."
Ignored...and faintly wide eyes.
Soon, everybody was done with his dinner, all except one...
"Bakura, why don't you eat the fish I gave you?"
'Can you stop pestering me with that annoying question?' Bakura thought furiously but the words that came out from his mouth was, "I can choose to eat whichever food I want."
"But..."
"Just let him be, Ryou. He never likes fish ever since he was young." Yami said tranquilly with his assuring smile.
"Why is that?"
"Stop asking so many questions already." Bakura replied back spitefully, his dark brown eyes presenting nothing but impatience, fury and slight nervousness?
"You can't be picky in food especially when it comes to fish." Ryou countered back with resolve shimmered in his chocolate irises. "Each and every one of us needs to have fish as our daily meal."
"Who says such a stupid thing?"
"Food experts, nutritionists, scientists, teachers, mothers...practically everyone who knows a well balanced diet."
As the bickering went on between the white-haired duo, Ryou's schoolmates were speculating the same thing...
"Why did Bakura hate fish so much?"
All stares on Joey Wheeler.
"What? What did I say?"
"Why can't you shut your mouth for once?" Kaiba muttered in a soft, petulant tone but somehow, Joey could hear his words as clear as day.
"Hey! I'm just asking a simple question, Kaiba! Why do you have to go against me on every little thing I do?"
"It's not that but-"
"Yeah, why do you hate fish so much, Bakura?"
Now the stares switched back to the said teen but that person has already stood up and was beginning to saunter out of the dining room. "I have no time for this so stop asking me pointless questions!"
"Because he had a long fish bone stuck in his throat when he was 5 once that ended up bringing him to the hospital."
Four vaguely wide eyes, three blank expressions and one enraged look were the outcome of hearing that comment.
"Well...I guess that's not so bad-"
"Unfortunately the bone's location is too deep and if the throat specialist is not careful enough, it will cause further damage that may put him into surgical procedure."
If that wasn't enough to make them tremble in fright, Seto's next words would.
"And apparently, the anaesthesia that helps putting you to sleep did not work well on him so he was half-awake and saw everything throughout the whole process. Even though the procedure was short as he only remove the bone from his throat, that scared him ever since."
It was no surprise as Bakura was a child back then but no one would enjoy staying awake and seeing someone entering some strange devices into your own throat. Plus it was excruciating and uncomfortable to have a sharp bone poking in your throat and then feeling more pain as the bone was slowly dragging upwards by the specialist. Let's just say he was unlucky to meet an inexperienced specialist.
Just like that, the dinner came to a conclusion but Ryou was not about to give up so he made something special for his friend.
-In Ryou's Room-
"What is this?"
On the table in front of The Air Elemental were four golden, crispy looking nuggets with each the size of a croquette on a white, clean plate.
"Just some snacks for you, try it. It's my first time making it."
A raised eyebrow and a stare later, Bakura grabbed one and took a bite. Needless to say, he absolutely loved it.
"It's good, what's in it? I've never tasted something like this before."
"Fish meat."
Those two words made Bakura wanted to choke and hurl the item in his hand so badly.
"What-"
"It has no bones at all so don't you worry a thing!"
"Why-"
"Because fish is important for your health and I want you to try it but I understand your reasons so I just have to remove all of the fish bones, every single one of them."
"Stop being so nosy and mind your own business!"
"People are being nosy because they care!"
Somehow this reminded Bakura of something his dear mother had once said to him.
'I'm telling you this because I care!'
"Yeah, people have told me countless times that I'm being meddlesome and noisy like a mother does, even Yugi and the others tells me that all the time but they don't mind since they know that I care about them and as your friend, I care about you too."
That was something Bakura could not oppose for once.
"I know I should be minding my own business but it's just so sad to see someone unable to eat something good because of that certain phobia." Before Bakura could get angry again, he added, "And besides, isn't it good to finally eat something you have wanted to try for so long?"
To be honest, he had wanted to taste the flavour of the fish meat ever since he could remember...was the only thought that appeared in the older youth's mind.
A silent nod and a bite on the fish nugget was all he could give to the smiling Ryou.
Omake #1: Fish Ended.
There goes the first omake of this story! Do you enjoy this special Tendershipping moment? I hope you do! I think I will have to work on Bronzeshipping and Puppyshipping soon...XD I haven't show you Bakura's and Marik's reactions when they 'fell in love' yet so the one when Marik was in the bathroom is not 'official', maybe you can say that it's 'lust' instead of 'real love'(but it's real close), just want to show you guys that The Elemental's powers are not well-controlled ever since the 'incident' happened so you will see their powers getting wild without their intentions once in a while. Tell me what you think of the chapter and the omake and I'll see you guys in the next chapter! Please continue to support me and as usual as it's always been, Favourites and Alerts are loved, Reviews are welcomed!
Stay tune for Chapter 15: Bracelet!
P.S: Vote on the poll in my profile too! The results are still very close!