Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Forgotten Love ❯ Unanswerable Questions ( Chapter 3 )

Unanswerable Questions

 

Desperation. Fear. The need to survive. Feelings that had been a part of his life forever. He remembered the dark times in his youth, the attack on his village. The bodies being burned right before his eyes, the color of blood reflecting in his eyes for eternity.

 

And now, 16 years later, here he was, feared by all, the infamous King of Thieves. His feelings had driven him to become this strong, to make sure that he would never be overtaken by anyone else. And yet, within him, there was still a soft spot, the little part of his heart that had made him human.

 

And she had found it.

 

Her laughter, her compassion, and her words had made it possible for him to give her the little bit of him that was still…human. And she had responded so well, with such happiness and compassion that he promised himself she would never be taken away from him, lest death grab him with her and drag both down into the afterlife.

 

He never thought it would be the flames that would steal her. The same flames that had robbed him of his family and his village. The same flames he promised himself he would never lose to. And yet, before his eyes, it happened. In an instant, those same flames consumed the bit of happiness he had been given after such a long time of darkness.

 

The flames would not win, he would make sure of it. The flames would be doused by his great power, and nothing would be taken away from him ever again.

 

But there was nothing left…she had been everything. And now, she was gone, grabbed from his arms and thrusted into the afterlife without him there, doomed to suffer alone, wandering through death calling for him without an answer.

 

The Ring. She had protected it until her body was no more. It still had her ashes, burnt into it. But they were already disappearing-the power of the Millennium Ring had already begun to rub itself of any blemishes. And now, her only ashes were scattered in the wind, along with the house and possessions they had shared.

 

He wouldn't allow her to be destroyed…forgotten, as if her death meant nothing. No, he would make sure that her killers would pay, pay very dearly. He would make sure he would go into the afterlife with vengeance to bring her, vengeance upon those who had destroyed her.

 

He would never forget her.

 

* * * *

Bakura's mind swirled as he roused himself from his deep sleep. He sat up and found himself on the couch, wrapped in a light blue blanket. Shooting up from the couch, he thrusted his head back and forth, confused at how he had ended up where he was. Then, in a flash, it had all come running back to him. Ryou and he had come home from the restaurant late after being drawn into a very long conversation with their waiter. He couldn't remember what they had been talking about, and it was probably because he had been too enthralled with his steak to pay attention to anything else but eating and enjoying every bite.

 

When they had come home, Ryou had said he needed to work on some things for tomorrow. So Bakura, not wanting to leave him alone, had stayed on the couch while he worked. He must've fallen asleep, and Ryou, not wanting to wake him, went to bed silently and let him just sleep.

 

`So where is Ryou now?' Bakura wondered, looking around. Ryou was nowhere to be seen. He went to go look in the bedroom, but his eyes caught another sight. The table had a plate with pancakes, bacon, and eggs, with a glass of orange juice, as well as utensils, a napkin, and a note bearing Ryou's handwriting. He slipped past the couch and over to the table. Lifting up the note from the table, he read the quickly scrawled note. “Was in a hurry this morning. Made breakfast for you, and decided to let you sleep. See you after school. Ryou.” He put down the note and looked at his breakfast.

 

Turning away from it, he went back to the couch and sat down, burying his head in his arms. `How could I have not heard him?' Then he remembered. He had taken a few drinks at the restaurant. He flashed on Ryou helping him walk home, he had been so drunk. `But why was I drinking? I usually hate having so much alcohol because of the' His thoughts were interrupted by the pang in his head, `hangovers.' He sighed and stood up, stumbling over to the refrigerator. He pulled out four pieces of ice and wrapped them in a dishcloth, placing it on his head. He collapsed into the chair in front of his breakfast, laying back against it. He moaned in pain from the alcohol's effects screwing up his mind.

 

`Why was I drinking? I'm not becoming like Marik, am I?' He moaned again. Then, in a lull, the thought suddenly hit him. `That girl. She reminded me of the…' Pang in the head again. `Ouch. The girl in my dreams. That's why I drank…because I wanted to forget….her.' He pushed the ice against his head, trying to make the pain stop. After a while, his head began to numb. `Good the ice is working.' He leaned back farther against the chair and his dark brown eyes looked at the ceiling, noticing the light from the sun reflecting off their window and onto the ceiling, `My dream….she wasn't in it this time, but I'm sure I must've been thinking about her. The question is…who is she?' He dropped the ice bag and shook his head, getting rid of the numbness. His head was still panging a little, but it was manageable. “I have to find out who she is.” He said to himself. He looked at his food and started cutting the pancakes up. “The question is, how?”

 

* * * *

“And the restaurant food was really good. I think Bakura was in love with his steak for a while. And we met some good people from school.” Ryou said, recounting his evening with Bakura to Malik and Yugi as they walked towards the school.

 

“If your food was so good, then why is Bakura not here this morning?” Malik asked, “Did he get sick?”

 

Ryou pondered how to answer, `If I tell them that Bakura got drunk, then Malik will think he's being like Marik. But I know he wasn't.' “Well, he just overslept, and I decided not to wake him up.”

 

“Bakura sleeping late? I never thought he could do that. Are you sure something's not wrong with him? He seemed sorta pissed off yesterday.” Malik inquired.

 

`That's because something is bothering him. I just wish I knew what.' Ryou sighed to himself.

 

“Hey, Ryou!” His thoughts and their conversation was interrupted from someone running up behind them. Immediately, Ryou felt a tug on his shoulders and was pulled back with a strong hand. He whirled around, taken aback and then confused. Standing before him, panting, was the waiter from last night. “I thought you would never hear me.” He stood up erect, “What's up?”

 

“Umm…nothing. School's just about to start.” Ryou said, confused as how to answer. `Why is he talking to me? I didn't think we were best friends after seeing each other just once.'

 

“Yea, you're right.” He laughed outright. “So are these your friends?” He said, glancing at Malik and Ryou. “They'd make good actors.”

 

Malik and Yugi, puzzled, looked at Ryou for an explanation. “Oh yeah. Guys, this is the guy from the last night who served us. His name is Jordan Jacques. And Jordan, these are my friends, Malik Ishtar and Yugi Mutou.”

 

Malik, mouth agape, pulled Ryou's shoulder. “We need to talk,” he whispered. Then, he turned to Jordan, grinning, “Could you excuse us for just a minute?” Jordan nodded his head, confused. Malik pulled Ryou back, Yugi following, also confused by Malik's odd behavior. Malik gave Ryou an exasperated look, “Do you even know WHO that is?”

 

“What are you talking about?” Ryou asked, perplexed. “Of course I know who he is, or else I wouldn't know his name, would I?”

 

“No, that's not what I mean!” Malik almost screamed, “That's Jordan Jacques, the football quarterback and always main actor for the university plays! He's like the top of the social chart!”

 

Ryou looked over at Jordan, thinking about what Malik had said. `I thought he looked a bit muscular. No surprise.' He turned back to Malik, “And your point is?”

 

“The point is!” Malik said, angrily, “Is that if his football friends find out that he's talking to some of the lowest people on the social chart, we could get a lot of beatings and be turned black and blue! You have to get him to leave us alone.”

 

“But he seems really nice. I don't think we could get in too much trouble hanging around someone like him.” Yugi whispered, looking over at him. He was tapping his left foot and looking at them with a confused look.

 

“Yugi, you don't understand! It's not him I'm worried about, it's his friends!”

 

“I don't think we're going to get into that much trouble.” Ryou said, “This conversation is over.” He turned and walked back over to Jordan, Malik spewing smoke from his ears behind him. Yugi followed him closely as they came back up to Jordan.

 

“Is everything okay?” He asked, still perplexed.

 

“Yes, everything's fine. But I have a question.” Ryou said, glancing back at Malik, “Have any of your friends ever gotten beat up?”

 

Jordan chuckled, smiling. “Of course not. Or else people wouldn't be my friends, would they?”

 

Ryou turned back to Malik with a look that said, `I was right.' Malik was still spouting under his breath as the four of them walked to class together.

 

* * * *

The clothes she wore were tattered rags. They no longer held the sheen of gold lacing and the colorful designs on them, shining in the sun. Rather, the dirt shone more in the sunlight. Her hair was stained with sand, and her braid had already begun to undo itself from the harsh winds. Her feet boiled under her as she treaded across the bazaar of Cairo, looking for any fallen piece of food or family that could take her in.

 

`Ra, please help me.' She pleaded. She wandered farther and farther, and when people bumped into her, they pushed her away from them, disgusted at her attire and overall dirty look. After a final push from a merchant who said her being nearby made her look bad, she fell to the ground, feeling her already sick body feeling weaker. She could not delve her face from the sand. Her eyes were shut and she wished that Ra would take her right then and there.

 

Her thoughts of death were beginning to be rewarded. She heard horses galloping into the bazaar. People were screaming, and children stamped over her, trying to get away from the men who had swords raised. She waited for a horse to prance over her or for a sword to go through her, bringing her peaceful eternal sleep. But the feelings never came. Instead, she felt a hand moving to turn her over. Her eyes went from the sand to the sun, and she shielded her eyes to keep them from boiling from Ra's strong eye. The hand that had moved her was gone, and as she shielded her eyes, she found a shadow looming over her. She dropped her hand and looked at the man standing over her. He looked like royalty-a red robe, jewels, and his silver hair looked as if it had been washed in the Nile itself, cleansing it of all dirtiness. His purple eyes scanned her and she could only lay there, her eyes flapping to try and fight going to sleep. His voice numbed her, “Who are you?”

 

“I am…”

 

* * * *

At that moment, her eyes fluttered open. Reiko sat up in bed, touching her forehead. “Another odd dream.” She mumbled. She looked down, and under her shirt, she could feel something burning her skin. Unbuttoning her nightshirt, she screamed, “Manager!”

 

There, on her stomach, was an etching of a large circle around a triangle with an eye embedded in it. And also, below that, were the shapes of five cones, looking as if they were sharp enough to draw blood, even as burns.

 

The manager almost crashed into her room, startled by her scream of agony. “Reiko, what's the matter with…” His mouth dropped open in shock. He saw the burn mark on her stomach and almost held back a scream gathering itself in his throat. `That's impossible!' He thought. `She lost that mark when…'

 

“Manager, why is it back? What's the matter with me?” Reiko said, tears pouring down her face. She buried her head in her hands, frightened and agonizing over the mark. The manager went over to her and wrapped one of his arms around her. He pulled her head into his chest and held her gently as she cried.

 

“It's all right, Reiko. I'm sure there's a reason it's back. And I'm sure it will go away again.” `The question is, why is it there in the first place?'

 

* * * *

Marik laid against his chair, enjoying a glass of red wine when he was thrown from his dream world into reality by a strong pounding at the apartment door. `Who the hell could be there?' Grumbling, he set down his glass and stumbled over to the door. Cracking it open, he growled, “Who is it?”

 

Immediately, he straightened up, stunned. There, in the doorway, was Bakura, a cold look on his face that told Marik he had come for business. “Marik, we need to talk.”

 

“Sure, come in.” Marik replied, giving him a drunk smile. He opened the door all the way, leaning on it to stay on his feet. Bakura walked it and he closed the door, leaning back against it.

 

Bakura turned to him, “You're really drunk, aren't you? Can't even stand without your legs struggling to stay straight.” He kept walking and found the glass of red wine.

 

“Hey, don't touch that! It's mine.” Marik said like a possessive child. Bakura looked at him, glaring. Then, without another word, he flicked the wine glass from his fingers, sending it flying across the room and into the wall, shattering and putting a red smear on the gray wall. Marik, mouth agape, stumbled up to him, pulling loosely on his shirt, “What the hell did you do that for?!”

 

“At least I have you somewhat less drunk now, right?” Bakura said, smirking. Immediately, Marik realized he was right. His mind was totally back in focus, and he could already see the images again.

 

“Why did you go and do that?” Marik said, grumbling as he walked past Bakura and into the kitchen to grab another glass and wine bottle.

 

“Marik, stop it with the drinking for a minute and listen to me!” Bakura said, angrily. Marik stopped and turned, glaring at him.

 

He turned and leaned on the counter, folding his arms together, “What do you want that could drive you to make me not drunk?”

 

“I need you to tell me about your memories. I need some answers.” Bakura said, walking up to him.

 

“I don't want to try and recall my memories of the past. That's the point of drinking, to push them away. Forget it.” He went to go open the cabinet but Bakura's hand came out from behind him, slamming the cabinet shut. “What the hell is the matter with you?”

“Look you,” He was close enough to bite Marik's ear off, “Either you help me figure out what the fuzzy parts of my memory mean, or else I'm going to make sure you suffer by my hand more than your memories.”

 

“Fine, fine.” Marik said, pushing him away. “But we didn't share the same past, so how am I supposed to know what your memories mean?”

 

“Because we both lived in Cairo and probably saw a lot of the same things. I just need to know what one of them was.” Bakura said, leaning against the counter.

 

“So what do you need to know?” Marik asked, waiting for this to be over so he could go back to drowning his memories out.

 

“I need you to tell me about a girl, one who was around me a lot. She had red hair and blood red eyes. Her hair was in a braid, and she died in a fire. Can you remember who she was?” Bakura asked, almost as if his answer meant life or death.

 

Marik pondered for a minute and his images came flashing back at him. Rather than seeing this girl Bakura wanted, he only saw his own dark memories. His sister had been a priestess for the Pharaoh who had died doing her duty. Then, he had been stuck underground for eternity, to protect the Pharaoh's items and his tomb. Any other memories from earlier on in his teen years were fuzzy, and usually only held his sister, mother, and father in them. But the memories of the caverns…despicable. He opened his eyes and shook his head. “No, I'm afraid I don't remember a girl like the one you're talking about.”

 

“Are you absolutely sure?” Bakura asked, desperately.

 

“Positive. My memories are of my family or the underground chambers. I never remember seeing someone like that. And I would remember some who stood out so much like the person you're describing to me.” Marik said, opening the cabinet, “Is that all? Can I go back to drowning out my memories now?”

 

Bakura gave a defeated sigh and turned away, walking towards the door. As he turned the knob, he glanced back at Marik, who was already filling his new glass with sherry, “You know, you're making Malik mad the more you drink. Try to find another way to forget if you're not already too hooked.”

 

“Mind your own life, Bakura.” Marik said, still holding his head near the glass, urging to drink it.

 

Bakura opened the door and disappeared, leaving Marik there to get himself drunk again. `At least I try to deal with my memories. That drunk can't even work through an addiction. I actually feel sorry for his Light.' Bakura sighed, boarding the apartment elevator, `So Marik doesn't know about her. Guess I'll have to go and ask the pharaoh.' He shook his head, `This should be fun.'

 

* * * *

“I can't believe he's putting us in so much danger!” Malik grumbled. Yugi walked beside him, listening to him talk about Ryou's new friend. “We could be beat up by the football team and the professors wouldn't even care!”

 

“Malik, I really think we should try being friends with him. I really think nothing bad will happen by trying.” Yugi said, trying to quell his frustration.

 

“Yugi, if we become friends with him, not only will his teammates try to kill us, all his crushes might try to attack us, too.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because,” Malik sighed. `Is it really that hard to explain?' “If they find out we're friends with him, they might think we're trying to hit on him. And all of his crazy crushes, especially the cheerleaders, will do anything to get us away from him. And I'd rather not have kick marks all over me.”

 

“Oh…” Yugi became silent. `I didn't think that could happen. But then again, Malik may be right. I don't want to get beat up either. Not only would it hurt, but it would be really hard to restrain Yami from trying to send every one of them to the Shadow Realm.'

 

“Hey guys. What's the matter?” Ryou said, noticing that the both of them had anything but happy faces. He closed his locker, holding his lunch in one hand.

 

“You know damn right what's the matter! It's that football player friend of yours!” Malik said, seething.

 

“You're not going on about that still, are you Malik? Look, Jordan said none of his friends have ever gotten beaten up. And we haven't seen anyone go home with blue and black bruises from being around him, have we?” Ryou said, trying to make them see the light.

 

“But we're different, aren't we?” Yugi piped up, in a worried voice, “We're different from his other friends…We're…” Yugi trailed off and looked away.

 

Ryou said, shooting an annoyed look at Malik, “Look Yugi, our sexuality does not make us that different. And I think Jordan already knew that I was…gay last night at the restaurant when I was with Bakura. Really,” He placed his hand Yugi's shoulder comfortingly, “It's going to be okay. Just wait.”

 

Yugi let a small smile creep across his face. “Okay.”

 

“You give it a chance, too, Malik.” Ryou said, looking over at him, “And stop trying to scare Yugi. It's not going to be that bad, and if it is, well, then I'll do something about it.”

 

“Fine.” He said, giving up. “But if anything happens, ANYTHING, you break ties immediately, promise?”

 

Ryou sighed and nodded, “Promise.”

 

Malik, glad to achieve a part of his victory, turned around and started walking towards the lunchroom, “Let's get some food. I'm starving.”

 

Yugi nodded and smiled at Ryou, then ran off to catch up with Malik. Ryou started walking to catch up with them. `I really think being friends with Jordan won't be so bad. We're not in high school anymore, after all. And if Jordan really did have a problem with my sexuality he wouldn't have been so nice to me last night or have spoken to me today.' He smiled, looking up at the ceiling, `Yea, things are going to be fine. I know it.'

 

* * * *

Yami's lunch was interrupted by the loud pounding coming from the Game Shop entrance downstairs. Putting down his napkin and moving towards the stairs, he called, “I'm coming! Just hold on a minute.” He walked down the stairs quickly and turned on the Game Shop lights as the pounding continued. “Hold on, I'm coming.” He walked to the door and opened it, “This is the Game Shop How can I….” His voice stopped short when he saw the tombrobber looking at him with cold eyes. “Oh, it's you.”

 

“What's that supposed to mean?” Bakura asked, stomping in past him, not waiting for an answer. Yami closed the door and leaned against it.

 

“What do you want?” He asked. “Come to be for a Royal Pardon?”

 

Bakura turned and smirked, “You wish, you pompous ass.” He looked at the assortment of toys, seeing dust covering them.

 

Yami snuffed, “If you want something from me, that's not the way to treat me. So, if you would please show yourself out.” He started walking towards the stairway when Bakura's hand grabbed onto his wrist, stopping him in his tracks. “Let go.”

 

“I came here to ask you something, and I don't plan on letting you go until you answer.” Bakura said, keeping his grip.

 

Yami turned, giving him a dark look, “Ask quickly before I decide to send your soul to the Shadow Realm.”

 

Bakura smirked, “I want to know about your memories. I thought you could help me clear up some of mine since you and I were very…close during ancient times.”

 

“If by close you mean always trying to kill each other, I'm not surprised.” He pulled himself from Bakura's grasp and leaned against the wall, “So what do you want me to clear up? The different ways you lost?”

 

He glared at Yami, but then just shook his head, “I came here to ask you about a girl, a girl who is in my memories. I wanted to know if you had seen her, and if so, who she was.”

 

“A girl…well, I remember a lot of girls in my past. Which one do you want to know about? Be a bit more specific.” Yami replied.

 

“She had red hair in a braid and blood red eyes. Her skin was about as dark as mine was in ancient times. Sound familiar?” Bakura inquired.

 

“A girl with red hair and blood red eyes. Hm….” He thought about it for a moment, and his memories of being Pharaoh surfaced. He saw the palace with the many servants and priestesses, and for a moment, he thought he saw Bakura's mystery girl, but he didn't know her name. He did know that she had known someone else in the palace though, but who…his memories were fuzzy. Yami shook his head, “I don't recall your mystery girl.”

 

“From all that thinking you did, it seems you do know who she is and just won't tell me.” Bakura replied, gritting his teeth.

 

“I'm serious, Bakura.” Yami said. “I mean, I think I saw your girl, but I don't know who she was or why she was even there.”

 

“So you can't tell me anything about her? Anything at all…”

 

“Well, she was with one of my priests. I just don't know which one. Or why she was even there speaking to him. And I don't think that can help you at all, which is why I refrained from saying it.”

 

“Well, at least now I know she's real. I just have to figure out who she was.” Bakura sighed, turning away, “Thanks for nothing, Pharaoh.”

 

“You're welcome.” He said sarcastically. Bakura opened the door and slammed it shut behind him. Yami chuckled, “I don't think I've ever seen him so flustered. I wonder if Ryou knows about this mystery girl.” He chuckled and walked up the steps to go and enjoy his little win over Bakura.

 

* * * *

“Wonder what they're serving today.” Malik mumbled, looking up at the cafeteria display. Ryou stood behind him and, glancing away for a moment, found his eyes to fall on a familiar figure surrounded by a group of people that were heading toward the courtyard.

 

“I'll meet you outside, okay?” Ryou said, looking at Malik and Yugi. Both nodded, a bit perplexed. Ryou smiled and walked away briskly, trying to catch up with the large group of people.

 

Taking his eyes off the center of attention for a moment, Jordan saw Ryou coming towards them. He stopped and turned, grinning, “Hey Ryou, what's up?”

 

“Oh, hi Jordan.” Ryou smiled. The group had stopped and some of them had turned to see Ryou. He recognized most, if not all, of them to be the waiters and waitresses from last night. And in the middle of them all was Reiko, the one who had caught his eye in the first place.

 

He walked forward and bowed his head, “I thought it was you, Miss Reiko.” He looked back up and began to notice a change in her. Instead of being perky like she had been last night, Reiko looked sullen and exhausted.

 

She nodded her head in reply, “Hello, Ryou. It's so nice to see you again. Jordan told me that your friend and you enjoyed a nice time last night, despite my blunder.” She giggled to herself.

 

“Yes, we had a wonderful time. I wish you could've stayed and talked longer with us. My friend was interested in you.” He smiled. `That came out wrong. So wrong…'

 

“I think he was more interested in you than me. Of that I can be quite sure. But I appreciate the compliment nonetheless.” She smiled. “Would you like to join us at our table for lunch? We were just heading out that way.”

 

“Sure, I would love to. Can my friends come with me?”

 

“Yes, certainly. We all wouldn't mind making more friends, would we?” She glanced at everyone else, whom all immediately began to chatter in agreement. “So we'll see you outside in the courtyard. I'll be watching for you, so you don't get mixed up with another group.” She smiled and nodded her head, and he did the same. Then, her group went away, surrounding her again as they went out the door.

 

“See you in a bit, Ryou.” Jordan smiled, waving as he went out the door to catch up with the others.

 

“Sure.” He called, waving his hand. Smiling, he turned back to see Malik and Yugi standing in line still, Malik's mouth agape and Yugi in silent wonder. `This should be fun to tell them.'

 

* * * *

“I can't believe you just got us into more danger! How could go up, in front of his entire group, and talk to the main lady like she was just another person?” Malik asked, exasperated as the three walked outside, Malik and Yugi carrying their trays.

 

“Will you calm down, Malik? For Ra's sakes, we're not in high school anymore. I'm sure people are more mature than they used to be.” Ryou said, trying to calm him down.

 

“Just give them a chance, please Malik?” Yugi asked, “They seemed very kind, especially the girl Ryou talked to. Was she the one from last night?”

 

“Yes, she was. The one who got sick…” Ryou trailed off. `Maybe that's why she looked so bad when I saw her. She might have had a faint spell again, a bad one.'

 

“Ryou!” He was awakened from his stupor and looked up to see Reiko, waving her hand to signal them over.

 

“Miss Reiko!” He waved back and picked up the pace to arrive faster. Confused, Malik and Yugi walked faster to catch up with him as the three arrived at the filled table. “I hope we didn't take too long.”

 

“Of course not. We have plenty of time to eat.” She giggled, “And Ryou, you don't need to call me `Miss Reiko.' Reiko is just fine.”

 

“Oh sorry Mi- I mean, Reiko.” Ryou chuckled. She smiled and led him over to the table. Everyone was in conversation, except for a good few who kept their eyes glued to Reiko's every move.

 

She put the three together in a line and then smiled at everyone, “Hey everyone, could I have a second of your time?” The whole table went silent, and Ryou felt as if they were on the stage already, even though none of them had signed up. “Guys, these are three new friends of mine. This is Ryou Itemri and his friends,” She stopped short, turning red at not asking.

 

Jordan had taken her shoulder, grinning, “Malik Ishtar and Yugi Mutou.” She looked up at him, nodding him with a silent `thank you.' He ruffled her hair and sat down at the table.

 

She turned back to the three of them, “I could introduce you to everyone at the table, but the time it takes me to recite every one of their names could take all of lunch period.” Everyone chuckled, and she giggled, blushing. “So, maybe they'll introduce themselves when they feel like it. Come, sit down.” She led them to an open spot on one side and the three sat down, her on Ryou's side and Jordan on Malik's. They started eating and the table seemed to turn their attention back to one another.

 

When they thought they had been completely shunned, one of the girls on the opposite side stood up and walked over to them. Ryou recognized her to be the waitress from last night who had bragged about Reiko. She extended her hand to each one, smiling, “My name is Deidre, Deirdre Calla. We're glad to have you here with us.”

 

Reiko smiled proudly and Jordan managed a wink. She smiled and went back to her end. Then, slowly, everyone else began giving their names to the three of them. Reiko beamed with pride like a mother who's child had just gotten a reward. Jordan was patting some of his friend's backs and hand slapping others. By the end of the introductions, the trio had made more than 20 new friends in the span of half a lunch period.

 

Near the end of the lunch period, when everyone was packing up to go to their next class, Reiko spoke up, “Hey everyone, don't forget. Tryouts for our next production is today after school. I hope to see you all there and if not to try out for a part, then to help out with the set or our actors.” Everyone gave her a nod, smiling, and turned to go to class, except for Jordan and Deidre, who remained behind with her.

 

Ryou had packed up already and had watched her give her announcement. `So she's really the leader type, despite her appearances of looking like a pushover.' He walked over and touched her shoulder. She turned, smiling, “I guess we'll see each other at lunch tomorrow then?”

 

“Oh, I had hoped that your friends and you would come to the play tryouts after school today. I was looking forward to having you guys with us now that you've joined the family.” She said, disappointed.

 

“Us, act?” Malik asked, stunned. “There's no way that any three of us can act.”

 

“Aw, come on.” Jordan slapped his back, “I'm sure the three of you just haven't found your inner actor yet.”

 

“And if anyone can help you find it, it would be Reiko here.” Deidre said, smiling at Reiko. She blushed red.

 

“I don't think I'm that influential. You all found your talent on your own. I just help set you in the right direction.” She said.

 

“More like you held our hand all the way there, not allowing any of us to turn back scared.” Jordan said, chuckling.

 

“Well, the point is,” Reiko said, becoming serious, “if you want to be actors or ever learn how to be one, being in the drama club is the way to start. So, I hope I see some of you, if not all of you, after school today. Because I think each of you could be great actors.”

 

Then, as if the clock had waited, the bell began to ring for the next class period to start. “We'd better get going.” Deidre said, grabbing her bag as well as Reiko's. “See you later!” She waved. Reiko waved as well and ran off to stay in step with Deidre.

 

“Hope to see you guys after school!” Jordan waved, running off towards the gym. The trio watched them go. When all three of them were out of earshot, Malik began laughing.

 

“Us, actors?! That's the funniest thing I think I've ever heard.” Malik laughed. “None of us could handle being around our yamis, let alone a crowd of people.”

 

“Malik, they were just trying to get us to fit in. You shouldn't be so mean about it.” Ryou said, grabbing his bag.

 

“But Ryou, do we look like actors to them or something?” Malik laughed, walking away alongside him, “I mean, we're so shy around guys that I don't think we could act with all of them that were here. We'd be better off as statues.”

 

“Malik, try to be nice about the idea.” Ryou said, sighing. The two walked away and about halfway in the door, they noticed their other companion to be missing. The two turned and found Yugi still standing, looking down with his hand attached to the bag, still on the ground. “Yugi, you'd better come on or you're going to be late.”

 

“Oh, right!” Yugi said, shooting out of his daze and running as fast as his short legs could carry him to catch up to the two.

 

Malik turned back to Ryou, still laughing quite loudly, “Seriously, Ryou. Us as actors? That would be the stupidest and most hilarious thing any of us ever did! I really don't think the world will ever see any of us on the stage.”

 

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