The Useless Shark
By KellyQ
Rated: K -
English -
Hurt/Comfort/Drama
Published: 11-23-11
Updated: 1-26-23
Ryoga stared out the hospital window, wondering how he got there. The last thing he remembered was dueling some guy named Kaito, who wanted Yuma's key. A growl escaped from the back of Ryoga's throat when he concluded how he got there. The thought made him feel useless. What is wrong with me? I couldn't do anything to help my first friend … He was hoping he didn't feel that way after he tried to help his friend after the accident. And I was useless because I tried to keep Kaito from taking Yuma's magical key!
"Hey, Shark!" Ryoga jumped and turned to see Yuma standing there, the key around his neck safe and sound. Yuma smiled, walked up, and sat across from his friend.
Ryoga quickly looked out the window.
"What are you doing here?"
"Oh, come on, I just wanted to see you! Is that a crime?"
Ryoga sighed.
"I'm fine."
"That's good," Yuma sighed. "Do you remember anything ... before your soul was taken?"
Ryoga narrowed his eyes.
"I mean, before you lost the duel to Kaito?"
Yuma waited for a moment for his friend and crush to respond.
"Shark…?"
"Kaito tried to steal your key, and I wasn't going to let him do that," Ryoga spoke.
Ryoga stared up at Kaito with a stone facial expression. Kaito and Ryoga were about to duel for Yuma's key.
"What do you want with Yuma?"
"Ah. How do you know him?" Kaito asked calmly, not fazed by Ryoga's expression.
Ryoga stepped back and stared down at the key in his hand. "That's none of your concern!"
A feeling of wanting to protect Yuma came over him. This duel is for you, Yuma, Ryoga thought, putting the key around his neck. Ryoga accepted the challenge to win. Throughout the duel, he tried to ensure he kept the key safe. He got to his feet and staggered a little. He was knocked around a few times. I'm not going to let Yuma down, Ryoga thought, glaring at his opponent's intense hate.
"This key doesn't belong to you!"
"Once I take your soul! The key and the number cards will be mine!"
Ryoga growled, wondering what type of person Kaito was. He didn't have time to comprehend before Acid Golan attacked him. Ryoga was knocked down; the key slipped off his head and landed a few feet away.
Yuma blinked a few times and tilted his head.
"Shark …?" He called softly, seeing that Ryoga was deep in thought.
"Why is Kaito after you?"
"I'm not sure, but I think it has to do with the number cards," Yuma said.
"And your key is linked to the number cards," Ryoga clarified, finally looking at Yuma.
Yuma's key glowed, and Astral appeared. "He has a point. Do you remember our duel against Kaito? He was after me and the number cards."
Ryoga watched Yuma for a moment. Yuma looked to the right, and his eyes fixed on something.
"Calm down, Astral. I'm not going to let anything happen to you …" Yuma paused when Ryoga started to get out of bed. "Shark! What are you doing? Get back to bed!" Yuma ordered, alarmed.
Yuma reached out to get Ryoga back into bed but was pushed back. They both gave each other an intense look. After a moment, Yuma took Ryoga's hand and had Ryoga wrap his fingers around the key. Then Yuma wrapped his fingers around Ryoga's.
"Thank you so much for trying to keep Kaito from taking the key," Yuma thanked him.
Yuma and his friends ran to the school rooftop to see Ryoga on the ground. Kaito stood over him, holding a ball of light. Yuma knew right away that it was Ryoga's soul. And the two had an intense d
"Shark!"
Yuma ran up but stopped abruptly when Kaito returned and picked up the key. Yuma's eyes widened with fear as he dashed toward Kaito; Kaito turned and jumped off the roof. Two electronic wings sprouted from his back, and he glided across the air.
Yuma stopped when he came to the edge.
"You won't get away with this! I'll make you give them back!"
Yuma watched momentarily and hung his head before returning to Ryoga. Yuma gasped when he felt how cold Ryoga was when he touched his shoulders to see if he would move.
"We better get him to the hospital," Kotori suggested.
Yuma nodded his head. He scooped Ryoga in his outstretched arms and held him close. Yuma's friends were surprised that he was strong enough to carry someone.
"I'll carry him," Tetsuo suggests, stepping up and reaching for Ryoga.
Yuma tightened his grip around his friend. Takashi watched for a moment and shook his head.
"You should just let Tetsuo carry Shark …"
"No. I'll carry Shark," Yuma decided.
Kotori watched Yuma the whole time they made their way to the hospital. There was a determined glint in his eyes that she had never seen. Once in the hospital, the doctor checked Ryoga out, and they were all relieved that Ryoga was physically okay.
"I was more worried than anything else that I couldn't get Kaito to release your soul, but he did at the end of our duel."
Yuma tried to hide the slight blush that crept across his face. Once he looked at the ball of light, he saw Ryoga was a good person.
By now, Ryoga was looking the way.
"Why did you save me?"
Yuma smiled brightly.
"You're my comrade, and I care about you!"
Ryoga looked annoyed, "You care about me too much," he muttered, pulling his hands away.
Yuma scuffed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," Ryoga muttered again, turning to leave the room.
Yuma growled, reached out, and turned Ryoga around.
"I will care about you, whether you like it or not!"
Ryoga stared at Yuma for a moment, shocked.
"Why?"
Yuma rolled his eyes.
"We're comrades – and I love you!"
Ryoga stared at Yuma before his anger clouded his judgment.
"That's sick! Don't you know I'm a guy, not a girl?"
"It's how I feel about you!" Yuma frowned. "Of course, I know that! I'm not stupid!" Yuma seemed more confused than hurt.
Ryoga stared at Yuma again before he sighed and closed his eyes.
"I don't know how I feel about you, Yuma … but that doesn't mean that things will never change between us," Ryoga said truthfully, walking out of the room.
"See you around, Yuma!"
Yuma smiled softly and nodded his head. "Thanks, Shark."
The End