Getting closer to the conclusion of this story at last. I don't know precisely how many chapters are left, but it's not too many more. We'll see.
Ch 15
...
A couple of days later, Tristan sat beside Ryou's bed, trying to be a bit more direct than they'd been with him until now.
"Come on, man," Tristan said. "You gotta at least give it a shot."
"I told you, it's not that simple," Ryou said with strong discomfort.
"It's more simple than it seems," Tristan said calmly. "It's only his name. It can't hurt you."
"You don't understand," Ryou said through gritted teeth. He squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his fists.
Tristan sat back with a sigh, "I'm really trying to, you know?"
"Every time I think about it..." Ryou flinched a little, "I keep hearing myself calling out to him."
Tristan waited before asking, "In what way?"
"The way I did when I followed him to that place. I keep hearing the sound of my voice going unanswered over and over again. I remember hearing my own discomfort..."
"But that's over now."
"Knowing he wouldn't answer me, and now knowing why..." Ryou took a shaky breath and hugged himself. "It makes my skin crawl. My stomach gets all knotted up."
Tristan sighed again, trying to think.
"I keep dreaming about that sound," Ryou said in a quieter voice. "And I see his crazed expression when he finally looks at me. I can't take it. It sends me right back there."
"Well, what about his last name?" Tristan suggested. "Can you say that at least?"
Ryou looked down at himself a little guiltily and didn't answer.
"Come on, surelyyou can manage-"
"Ishtar," Ryou said bitterly, looking thoroughly agitated now.
Tristan looked at him a little hopelessly and let his head sink. He made his voice as patient as he could.
"I'm really at a loss for options. We can help you with this but only if you help us too."
Ryou scoffed. "Do you think I'm not trying, Tristan?"
"I think you can do better," Tristan said sternly. "It sucks, I know. It's uncomfortable, or scary, or painful or whatever it is - but it's still just a name. Of all things to carry around with you, don't let that be something that messes with your head."
"I don't know how to beat it," Ryou said. "I know how ridiculous it seems, believe me I do. But if it were something I could simply get over then I would certainly do it."
Tristan rubbed his hands together in thought. "What if I kept saying it-?"
"Please don't," Ryou quickly shook his head.
"Just - hypothetically here - if you're distracted by the memory of your own voice calling him, then let me say it and try to have my voice replace that memory."
Ryou looked ill. "I'll still see his face. I don't know if-"
A knock came at the door. Tristan turned to look at it then back to Ryou. The British boy looked as surprised as he was.
"Maybe it's Yugi," Tristan suggested, getting to his feet.
He went to the door and opened it, pausing with it open just enough for himself to see through.
"Hello, Tristan," A woman's voice said smoothly.
"Oh! Hi." The brunette answered politely.
"Is Bakura feeling well?"
Tristan passed a glance over his shoulder, noticing the concern on the other's pale face. "Uh, yeah. We were just talking. Is everything okay?"
"I wonder if I might also speak to him for a moment."
He hesitated for just a second then opened the door wider. "Sure."
...
Ishizu nodded gratefully and stepped into the room. Tristan opened the door all the way and moved off to the side, looking between her and Ryou. She stepped a little ways into the room, standing with her hands folded in front of her, and offered a polite yet sad smile to the one in the bed. She was glad to see he looked much more alive than he had nearly two weeks before, and most of the equipment had been removed from around his bed. Ryou said nothing as she entered and made no move whatsoever. As a matter of fact, Ishizu noticed, he'd gone rigid. He sat as still as someone who had spotted a nearby cobra. His demeanor seemed calm but his eyes were a little too alert. Had his heart monitor still been attached it might have undoubtedly given him away.
Ishizu stopped a few paces away. The greeting she was prepared to offer left her mind as she heard the faint shakiness of his breath. He hadn't blinked even once.
"It's alright," she said softly. "You don't need to be afraid of me."
Ryou's fingers twitched slightly over his sheets but that was all. His eyes darted to Tristan - who stood with his hands in his pockets, watching closely - and back to her.
"I mean you no ill will, Ryou Bakura. I actually came to see how you've improved since I last saw you."
Ryou took a subtle breath, his eyes finally closing for an instant, but he did not relax.
She waited patiently, but saw he had no real intent to speak to her. "Does my presence disturb you that much?" she asked gently.
That pale mouth opened a little wider, almost uncertainly. "I'd forgotten about you."
She tilted her head ever so slightly.
"I shouldn't have," Ryou said quietly. "They've talked about the three of you more than once but… Now you're here. I realize I had forgotten what you look like."
Tristan sighed quietly, inwardly debating if he should offer reassurance or stay quiet.
"Is that what unsettles you?" Ishizu asked. "The way I look?"
Ryou gripped his sheet uneasily, and swallowed. "I don't think I've seen you without your face covered. I can't remember. I didn't realize how much you…" he trailed off, still staring at her.
"How much I resemble my brother?"
Ryou let out a breath and looked away from her.
"If it helps you feel more comfortable, I will keep my distance." She said. "I don't wish to upset you in any way. But I wanted a chance to speak with you."
"You really shouldn't even look that much alike, should you?" Ryou said under his breath. He sounded more like he was thinking aloud than speaking to anyone. "Long black hair and green eyes. It's not the same, really... But still."
Ishizu stood patiently, looking down at her joined hands. "Yes. He is unique in that regard."
Ryou winced a little but kept staring across the room, away from her. "I don't mean to be rude, but ... what was it you wanted?"
She gingerly wet her lips before continuing, "Like the others, I wanted to extend my regards to you. To let you know that although we've tried to give you your space, you've been consistently in our thoughts and prayers. We've eagerly waited for good news since we all first arrived here."
No response. She debated what she had to say next but decided it was fair, even if it made the white-haired teen uncomfortable, "He's… done all he can to ensure you have the most comfortable stay here while you recover."
She watched him for a reaction. He didn't seem to flinch as much when Marik's name wasn't used. Although she didn't like it, it did seem like the best way to get Ryou to not immediately shut out her words. Trauma really was a wicked thing.
"Thank you," Ryou said after a moment.
Ishizu looked down again. "I also came to let you know that we've left a forwarding address with your doctors. Your medical bills should be taken care of even after we've gone."
No response.
"He set up his account in this currency, so you should be taken care of even if we need time to make a transfer." She noted a slight frown between his eyes, and decided to come right out with it. "We'll be leaving soon."
Ryou slowly turned his head, keeping his eyes low near the floor, but still looking in her direction.
Ishizu glanced over at Tristan, who had turned his attention on her at her statement.
"He's asked to go back home. To Egypt," she explained. "And I don't know that he intends to come back. So I…" she turned back to Ryou, "I wanted you to have fair notice in case you…"
A pained expression crossed that pale face. "I'm sorry," he whispered, with a solemn shake of his head. "I can't see him."
Ishizu looked sad as well. She understood why he felt that way, but she had still hoped for her brother's sake… No. For their friendship's sake…
Silence stretched out between them.
"I know how he feels," Ryou said. "I heard him when he came to see me before. So… There's really nothing more we can say to each other."
Ishizu closed her eyes and turned her head as a tear slid down her cheek.
"Ryou..." Tristan said under his breath.
"I wish it were as simple as it seems," Ryou said. "But I – I just can't."
Ishizu took a breath to regain herself and tried to subtly wipe her face. "Then we will respect your wishes," she whispered. She bowed her head, "Long life to you, Ryou Bakura. Please be well."
She turned to go.
Ryou bit his lip. She was in the doorway -
"Your brother -" he said suddenly.
Ishizu stopped and turned back.
Ryou was looking uncertainly at her now. "What's his name?"
She stared at him. What was he saying? Surely he knew… wait.
"Do you mean Odion?" she asked.
"The one who saved us."
"Yes, that's Odion."
"Is -" Ryou bit his lip again, "is he still here?"
Intrigued, she nodded. "Yes he is."
He looked down, plucking at his sheets again. "Do you think … maybe I could -?" he trailed off.
"Would you like me to get him for you?" she asked, a little hopeful.
"Would you, please?"
"Certainly," she said. "I'll send him in."
He nodded, still looking uncomfortable. After she was gone, Ryou tossed his head back against his pillow and cursed the relentless aching in his chest. Nothing about this whole situation was coming easy to him and he didn't like it at all. What was he supposed to do? What did he plan to do? The thought of the eldest Ishtar sibling had crossed his mind in an instant, as though to keep Ishizu from leaving under bad terms, but what in the world would it solve?
Tristan took a step toward him. "Do you want me to step out or stay here?" He sounded encouraged.
Ryou shrugged with defeat, "I don't know, outside I guess? But please don't leave!"
"Okay. I'll be right out here. Just call if you need me."
He stepped out and Ryou reached for his cup, taking a drink of water just as a taller shadow passed by his window. It was sooner than he expected. A short knock on the door frame and Ryou saw the familiar face of his savior.
Instantly feeling a bit awkward, Ryou put his water cup back. "Hello."
Odion closed the door carefully behind him and came over. "You're looking much better," he said softly, sounding as if he were relieved.
Ryou forced himself to keep his head up and look at the older man. Those same golden eyes that he had seen filled with so much threat and anger in that horrible house, were now looking at him as if the man could never harm another living soul.
"Thanks to you," Ryou said. He felt a little calmer now, but the Egyptian's tall stance was still a little intimidating. Ryou gestured to an available chair. "You can have a seat if-if you want to."
Odion took one and brought it carefully near the bed. Ryou watched his movements curiously, unable to believe this was the same man who had fought that monster with so much strength. Once seated, Odion looked at the younger man with curiosity of his own.
"Um," Ryou thought about how to begin and decided: how does anybody begin? "We haven't really, properly met so -" He offered his left hand which, although a little awkward for a right-hander, wasn't bound in a cast. "Hello, I'm Ryou Bakura."
Odion looked at the hand as though puzzled, then took it (gently) in his own left hand.
"Hello. I am Odion Ishtar. It's nice to meet you." He said with a little smile.
"You too." Ryou gave a small smile of his own. "I'm, uh, I'm glad to see you're alright."
Odion looked a little surprised.
Ryou brought his knees up under the blankets and placed his arms over them. "You put up a serious fight and I know you didn't walk away without…" he trailed off, trying to put his jumbled thoughts into coherent sentences. "And after you tumbled down the stairs as well… I thought you might be -"
Looking a little touched, Odion replied, "Just a bump on the head. Nothing at all compared to what you went through."
"I'd rather not think on that anymore," Ryou said. "Instead, I wanted to tell you how grateful I am. Not just for me but – for the other me as well."
"Other you?"
"The ancient spirit inside me. The one you brought here."
"Ah."
"If you hadn't come when you did… I mean, right when you did." Ryou's eyes glazed over as he once again saw Bakura's limp form on that dusty floor. Marik's boot raised above the other's spine. "A second later and he would've been killed for sure. I know it."
Odion did look surprised now. "I believed I had gotten there too late. Had I known what was happening, I could've -"
"Please don't." Ryou made a face and looked the older man in the eye. "That's all everyone's been saying to me: if only, if only. Everyone wishes they could've stopped it from happening but that doesn't matter because it did happen, and nothing anyone says can change that."
Odion closed his mouth in silent agreement.
"But you," Ryou said, "You came! When no one else did or could, you did come and you protected me!" His brown eyes shimmered at the other's. "You saved my life. And my Yami's life."
Odion shook his head, "The spirit bought time when I couldn't help you. Twice."
"But without your help, it wouldn't have mattered. We'd still be dead. And who knows what other heartless things that monster would've done to us before then." Ryou shrunk in on himself at his own words.
Odion grimaced a little.
Ryou tightened his grip on his legs, inwardly kicking himself. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that, I just came out. I apologize."
"I understand."
"But I don't want you somehow thinking you could've done more." Ryou turned to him again. "What you did for me was no little effort. And even though I didn't know at the time, I now know exactly who it was you fought against. And I can't even imagine what that was like for you."
Odion looked at him in disbelief.
"So you don't owe us anything at all, alright? Please don't -"
"I owe you everything!" Odion said so suddenly it made Ryou jump. The Egyptian leaned forward. "What you just said, that's exactly why I'm in your Spirit's debt."
"What -?"
"Who I fought against, who hurt the both of you so badly, is gone!" Odion's eyes shimmered now. "Because of your Spirit's determination and strength, that wickedness that has caused my brother so much suffering for nearly a decade has been obliterated!" The words seemed suddenly stuck in his throat at the measure of what he was trying to say. "I didn't think we could ever be rid of it! All I've ever wanted was for my brother to be free of that evil and given the chance to know real happiness again! And now, thanks to you …"
He stopped himself there, and Ryou knew why. Odion couldn't exactly say 'it's been done' because only half of it was true. Based off everything he'd seen and heard since coming to the hospital, Ryou knew that Marik was anything but happy.
Ryou heaved a heavy sigh. "So what it really sounds like is that we both feel we owe everything to Bakura."
Odion sat up straight, trying to manage the sudden rush of emotion that had passed through him.
Ryou stared past his own legs as he spoke, "But what Bakura really wants is for us to get better and out of this hospital. And even though I'm healing physically…"
The room was perfectly silent for a moment.
"That's why I asked for you," he continued. "Miss Ishizu said you would all be leaving soon and I didn't want that to happen before I got a chance to say 'thank you'. No matter what you think, you've done more for me then you'll ever really know."
Odion looked him over, thinking.
"Then may I make a very bold request?" he asked quietly.
Ryou squeezed his eyes shut. "I can't do it."
Odion gave a sigh of his own.
"I've already told everyone I can't see him. I know how badly you all want me to, but you don't understand -"
"Yes I do," Odion said, surprising the younger man yet again. "That evil monster has been my greatest enemy since it first showed itself. I've done my best to keep it restrained all these years, but it was only ever a matter of time. And still, that didn't stop all of the torment it caused my family."
Pity and guilt formed in Ryou's face.
"Marik and Ishizu are all I have in the whole world, Mr. Bakura. My greatest purpose in life has always been to keep Marik safe. And to see that thing always wearing the face of someone so precious to me...? Yes. I understand exactly what you are so afraid of."
Ryou was transfixed. He had barely even flinched at the use of the blonde's name. He felt an odd warmth inside of him that was quickly followed with disgust in himself. Here was, of course,someone who would understand, and did understand. All this time, Ryou had felt alone and unable to convey exactly what he felt. And not once had it occurred to him that this man before him would know better than anyone what sort of monster Ryou had faced. And he felt disgusted, knowing that for all his own whining and fits for falling victim to his friend, Odion had suffered seeing it more than once in the form of his own family. All of these realizations visibly crossed his face, and Odion looked at him sympathetically.
"And I can tell you without any doubt at all, it is no longer there."
"That's what I've been told," Ryou said, taking a deep breath. "But I still can't think of how we're supposed to get past this. I have no idea what to say. He's already said the sort of things I would have expected him to, and what everyone else has said for him. And I realize everything he's doing for me now and I'm grateful for that. But it doesn't get rid of this horrible feeling inside of me."
Odion's eyes wandered as he thought.
"I would not want to add to your despair... But for his sake, I must tell you that his health is at great risk now."
Ryou met his gaze.
"He was healing well at first, but now... I fear he has given up completely. His guilt and self-loathing are making him sick inside, and it's becoming visible on the outside. That is why we're taking the measures to bring him home. I have no doubt that if he stays here, he will... He needs to reconcile in order to move past all of this. We had hoped he would feel better by helping you from afar but -" he trailed off.
Ryou's eyes glimmered sadly.
"All I ask is that you take a chance for him. Just once. I will do whatever is necessary to help you feel safe. Please," Odion leaned forward, his eyes begging. "Try and find it in yourself to forgive him."
Ryou's head sank, his chin quivering at the tension in his throat. He knew it was the right thing to do. And more than anything, he wished he could just do it.
"And what if I can't?" he whispered. "What if we see each other again, and I can't stand the sight of him? What if he has to see that first hand after everything he's already gone through? Do you want to have to pick up those pieces as well?"
Odion looked lost.
"Please believe, me I would do it if I knew how," Ryou said, tears sliding down his cheeks. "But I'm at a complete loss. I have no idea how to possibly fix this." He sniffled and wiped at his eyes. "It's not as though I hate him or anything, it's just -"
"Then tell him that," Odion begged. "That is what's destroying him. His guilt is held down by the idea that you want nothing to do with him ever again."
Ryou put the back of his hand over his mouth. He turned away a little, trying to urge his stomach to settle itself.
For a moment they simply sat in silence. Ryou worked to regain control of himself.
"Could you send Tristan back in, please?" he murmured. "You don't need to leave."
Odion nodded and obliged.
Tristan entered the room looking between both men. "Everything alright?"
Ryou lowered his hand from his mouth in favor of holding his stomach. "I want to do right. But I don't know how to see him."
Tristan looked back at Odion, who returned a helpless look.
"Well... maybe you don't need to." He turned to the Egyptian. "You know the phone number to your room, right?"
"Yes."
Tristan turned to Ryou. "Why not use the phone? Then you won't have to face him."
Ryou looked stunned at the phone on his bedside table. "Wha... what would I say?"
The brunette shrugged. "'Hello' is a good start."
Ryou looked at him, then at a hopeful Odion. Wiping his hands repeatedly over his legs, he heaved a sigh and picked up the phone. It hung in midair with the faint dial tone as he suddenly felt stuck.
"Hey," Tristan said softly, kneeling near the bed. "Listen, nothing bad's gonna happen to you, okay? I'm right here, and Odion's right there. We'll protect you, I swear."
Odion nodded in agreement.
Ryou took a shaky breath and gave a reluctant nod. Odion came over and pressed the buttons, gently taking the receiver from Ryou's shaking hand. "Ishizu will most likely answer," he explained.
Sure enough, a moment later he spoke into the phone. "Ishizu - Ryou Bakura is attempting to speak. Will you please put Marik on the phone?"
Tristan heard a faint feminine voice reply. He took his seat and looked forward to see Ryou visibly shaking all over. He reached forward and carefully touched the British boy's arm. "It's okay."
Ryou found the phone being held out to him. He raised his hand and took it, forcing himself to bring it to his ear. He caught the last part of a shuffling sound, which must have been the other phone being passed between hands. He heard the faint sound of Ishizu's voice but couldn't hear what she was saying. And soon there was nothing... just a heavy silence that meant someone was listening on the other end.
Ryou's eyes went blank. It's him. He's listening.
He swallowed and tried not to breathe too loudly.
Just say hello. That's all. Just one little word.
He opened his mouth, struggling to get the blasted word out. Why the bloody hell was the line so quiet? Why couldn't he speak? Why was it suddenly so cold in the room?
Tristan was watching him closely. "Come on," he whispered.
Just one word. Just say hello. Hello. Hello!
"H... He..." hardly any sound escaped his lips. "H-h..."
Hellooo-oooo? That haunting voice came back to him from the lower floor as he desperately searched for somewhere to hide!
Ryou's eyes went wide, and Tristan frowned as he saw Ryou's face go nearly as white as his hair.
"Hello?" a tired voice spoke through the phone.
The receiver fell from Ryou's hand, landing in his lap. He sat completely petrified, breath shaking and eyes staring horrified ahead of him.
"Hey, hey!" Tristan said, taking the receiver and handing it back to Odion. "Look at me!"
Odion quickly picked up the phone. "Master?"
"Calm down," Tristan said. "Calm down, you're okay!"
"I'm on my way back," Odion said quickly, hanging up the phone and rushing to the door. He hurried out without closing it and nearly collided with Tea. She stood at the doorway looking after him, then to Tristan talking to a horrid sight that was Ryou Bakura.
"What happened?" She asked with alarm.
"He tried calling Marik on the phone, and he just freaked out," Tristan explained.
Tea quickly set her purse down and rushed to Ryou's side, "Ryou? Ryou, you're in the hospital, remember? You're safe. You're in your own room."
"Come on, man. Breathe!" Tristan thumped Ryou on the back. "Get some air."
Ryou took in a strangled gasp, finally blinking.
"It's okay," Tea said, trying to sound comforting. "You're safe now. I promise."
"We're right here, buddy," Tristan said. "No one's gonna get you. I won't let them."
Ryou's eyes moved slightly back and forth, and his mouth barely formed mute words. Inside, his chaotic thoughts were crying out for Bakura.
Calm yourself, Hikari, Bakura's voice came to him. There's no danger here.
I heard him! Ryou thought fearfully, I heard his voice. It was real!
There is. no. danger.Bakura said again. Pay attention to your friends.
"Ryou?" Tea's faint voice became clearer as he became aware of his surroundings. He looked to see her face wrought with concern, as was Tristan's although he seemed more determined than anything.
Ryou took another deep breath and willed himself not to pass out. Suddenly he felt a pair of warm hands against his and realized his own hand was still hovering suspended by his head.
"Oh my god, you're freezing," Tea said.
Ryou looked sidelong at the phone. Had he really just done that? Marik had just spoken to him. Had said hello. And Ryou hadn't been able to answer. His eyes moved to something else on the table and his breath suddenly stilled. He stared at it.
"What?" Tea asked.
With a jerk, Ryou tore his hand from hers and grabbed his journal. Aggressively flipping through the pages until he reached blank paper, he paused with his pencil hovering, quivering, above it.
The others watched with confusion as his hand came down and wrote something. Sparing only a second to inspect it, Ryou placed the pencil between the pages and clapped the covers together as much as possible. Then he held it out pointedly to Tristan. The taller man looked at the journal, then up to Ryou, who looked like he was on the verge of a severe nervous breakdown.
"This is the best I can do," Ryou whispered harshly. "Go."
Tristan frowned with uncertainty, then opened the pages. He raised his head back to Ryou, who was holding himself again.
"I'm on it," Tristan said. He got up and hurried from the room.
Tea reached for the folded blanket at the foot of the bed and draped it around his shoulders.
...
"Odion!" Tristan called as he saw the Egyptian with his hand on the doorknob.
"No running, please!" A passing nurse said.
"Sorry," Tristan said quickly. "Here, look!" He held the open book out to Odion and the other looked at it with confusion.
"Did he -?"
"He did." Tristan nodded.
Hope filled Odion's eyes as he looked back at Tristan before taking the journal and entering the room. Tristan hesitated, but followed him in.
Ishizu sat on the bed with her arm around Marik.
"Master," Odion presented the open journal to his brother.
Marik blinked blankly at it. Ishizu took it and brought it closer. They both read the single word: Hello
Immediately, Ishizu looked up at the others.
"It's Ryou's," Tristan said, sounding a little encouraged.
Ishizu looked excitedly at her brother, but Marik simply looked dumbfounded.
"He wrote this, Marik," she said. "He's saying hello to you."
Marik frowned uncertainly at the simple word, looking up at the others who all nodded to him.
"W-what do I-?"
"Write back to him," Ishizu said. "Write hello!"
With hesitation, Marik took up the pencil and slowly wrote the word Hello beneath the first one. He halted afterward. Was that enough? Should he say more? Should he not? Should he put some sort of punctuation? Which one would be best? Marik looked helplessly up at Tristan who simply nodded.
"That'll work," he took the journal and left the room with it.
Marik was left in utter confusion while his sister happily hugged him.
Several minutes went by and they all wondered what would happen next. Odion stuck his head out in the hall and saw Tristan returning, slightly out of breath from hurrying. He presented the journal to Marik; the pencil still marking their place. The blonde opened it:
- Are there ugly curtains in your room too?
Marik stared at it. "...What?"
Tristan leaned over for a peek. "He was really struggling with what to say. I think he's trying to make idle conversation."
"Uh..." Marik looked over his shoulder at the window curtains. It seemed like an odd question. But then... it was Ryou. Ryou was speaking to him! Sort of.
Tanking the pencil up again, Marik wrote:
- They're some kind of orange that looks like it's trying to be brown so – yeah
He shrugged as he handed it back to Tristan, "I'm not sure what I should -"
"It's okay," Tristan said. "You're doing great." He turned and left the room again.
A few moments later, Tea arrived with the Journal. She smiled as she handed it to Marik.
- I got stuck with a faded blue or purple that the nurse tried to tell me is called "periwinkle" of all things. I wonder if they're different in every room.
Marik read and reread the message. A weak laugh escaped him.
- I'm not sure. Maybe it's per hallway or per different wing or something.
He paused, wondering how he should keep this going. He looked around the room before adding to his note:
- Do you have a TV in your room?
He handed the book back to Tea...
- I do but I haven't really watched it. None of the programs seem interesting to me so it would be just a bunch of noise. I'd prefer it to be quiet.
- I thought the same thing. Odion had it on once in a while but I didn't see anything of real interest. They offered to bring me stuff from home but unless the doctors decide to let me ride my motorcycle, there wasn't really anything I wanted.
- That's funny.I don't expect they would allow that. For multiple reasons. Not only would it be disruptive, but I'm sure it would be awkward for any patients who have been in traffic wrecks.
- Yeah, that's true. ~ Ishizu would probably have a thing or two to say about me trying to ride it after just being in the hospital anyway. Let alone if I tried to ride while still being checked in.
The book continued to be passed back and forth, with Tristan and Tea taking turns as the messengers. Tea returned again with Ryou's most recent reply.
- How are your injuries doing?(Please don't say they're nothing or not as bad as they could be, I'm tired of that. Just tell me)
Marik swallowed, and moved to lay with his back propped against his pillow.
- Well, my leg was the worst. But physical therapy's helped I guess. It's healing pretty well and I can walk. My right arm was pretty bad too from where I guess Bakura got me with his knife. But they said I'm lucky and it stuck in at an angle where it missed the tendon. So I can still use my fingers, thankfully. I had stitches on a gash across my stomach but they've been taken out. And the wound in my shoulder's still a little tender but almost fully closed. Everything else was just little scrapes and bruises that have healed now.He bit his lip and debated before continuing: If it's okay to ask – how are yours?
- I had a cracked rib but it didn't trouble me much since I lay down most of the time anyway. They have me on pain medication a lot so none of it bothers me too much. Although I am tired of this cast on my arm. It's been strange trying to do everything left -handed. My back gets pretty tender when the medicine wears off but otherwise I'm still able to move well enough. It's not nearly as bad as it was. Especially with the weight that was in my chest. That's better as well, though I get winded pretty easily. But to be honest I think that's a little more than a physical problem. Kind of the same with my headaches, although I did get my head knocked a good deal so…
The marks on my face have all but gone and my throat feels better now. I wish the surgery scars would fade this well, but with skin like mine… Oh well. I've never been the type of bloke to walk about without his shirt on anyways. Which makes me wonder, what's this hospital stay done to your hard-earned physique?
Another weak laugh from Marik. He turned to a fresh page and answered.
- It's starting to show that I haven't hit the weights for a while. But that can be fixed later on. I have more serious things on my mind.
- Are you talking with anyone? They've tried to send me a specialist more than once but I don't care to speak to them.
-I'm not seeing anyone. I mean, Yugi and Tea talked with me a couple of times, but I couldn't discuss any of this with a professional. Ishizu and Odion will listen of course, but they've been at as much of a loss as I have.
- I know that feeling.
Marik went back and reread the entire exchange between them. He was at a little bit of a loss for words again, but he didn't want this to stop. He made up his mind to be a little bolder.
- If I did know what to do though, I would do it in a minute.
This time it took longer for the journal to return. And Marik immediately began to worry that he'd screwed it up. But then a winded Tristan came in with the journal.
- I think we're doing it right now. So don't let yourself get dragged off with those thoughts again.
He read it three times, relief spreading through him.
- Are you talking about writing back and forth like this? That this is what we should be doing?
-Yes. So even if it doesn't make much since, indulge me and we'll keep it up, yeah?
…
Yaay! Good for them! ^^ It's a start!