Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ I Care ❯ I Have To Tell Someone ( Chapter 7 )

Emmy: Thank you for your reviews. I would like to dedicate this chapter to Ashley and Audra, dreamers at heart. Also I would like to inform you that in the beginning of this chapter it's from Ryou's point of view but slowly it makes its way to
Aly's point of view and then it just goes between the two.

 

Raven: Just so you know the whole Goddess thing isn't supposed to be going against anybodies religion and we're not trying to say God doesn't exist or anything. Also, everything we say about Bastet is true, I looked it up.

 

I Have to Tell Someone

 

The light that was surrounding Aly began to dim. She looked around and saw a shape forming in front of her. For a moment she was unable to tell what it was but as it became clearer she realized what it was.

 

Aly was standing in a room made entirely of stone that reminded her of some sort of temple. There were carvings on the walls of animals and strange symbols. Torches illuminated the room instead of the powerful light. It took a moment for Aly to realize what else was there. Right in front of her was a throne with two cat statues standing guard by it. On the throne was the strangest woman Aly had ever seen.

 

The woman had the head of a brown cat with mischievous amber eyes. She also wore some type of headdress along with what seemed to be Egyptian style clothing. Golden bracelets decorated her arms and around her neck was a familiar looking object. Besides all this she seemed to be glowing with the same powerful light from moments ago.

 

“Hello human,” the woman greeted kindly. Her voice was strange. Aly stared, eyes wide in surprise at what was going on. The woman chuckled kindly.

 

“You to not have to be afraid human, I will not harm you.” Aly swallowed and took a breath.

 

“Uh, h-hello…” she managed to squeak. “…Ms. Umm…”

 

“I have many titles human but you may refer to me as Bastet.” The woman's ears twitched.

 

“Bastet? Where have I heard that before?” Aly wondered to herself.

 

“Bastet? Wait a moment…what's going on?” Aly asked. Bastet slipped off her thrown.

 

“Human I know the Thief will tell you nothing so I have brought you to my domain to tell you myself.” Bastet stopped as she reached Aly. Then she extended her tan human hand and touched Aly's necklace.

 

“You see in the times of the Pyramids we gods and goddesses were worshipped by many. Now, how ever, with most of our civilizations gone the history and religion of the ancient Egyptians has slowly begun to fade. I myself have very few worshipers compared to 5000 years ago,” Bastet explained. Aly felt uncomfortable under the gaze of the goddess. Her eyes seemed to be looking right into Aly's soul.

 

“I see but what does this have to do with me?” Aly asked. Bastet's cathead gave a sly smile.

 

“You my dear bear my symbol. All of my followers bear that symbol, and all that bear my symbol are counted as my followers.” Aly thought about what the goddess had just said.

 

“So…you think I'm a follower of you?” Aly asked. This was very strange.

 

“You may not pray to me human but you do bear my symbol so I do count you as my follower,” was Bastet's reply.

 

“But I-we only bought-this is-was just part of-,” Aly tried to explain.

 

“It does not matter human. This is nothing bad, in fact, for you it is good, very good indeed. Because you bear my symbol I will not allow anyone to inflict unnecessary harm to you. I cannot make you live forever or never get hurt but I will not let anything life threatening hurt you. That is why you are not in the Shadow real now.”

 

Aly raised her eyebrows and thought. “So…it was you? You saved me from the Shadow Realm. Oh-thank you!” Aly cried. Bastet smiled.

 

“You are welcome human. I will not let the Thief send you to the Shadow Realm as long as you live, and, now this is very important, as long as your bear my symbol. You must remember this because whenever you take that necklace off you will be taking off my protection. The Thief will be able to send you to the Shadow Realm and you'll be totally unprotected.” Bastet said that last part firmly and Aly nodded her head to show she understood.

 

“I…thank you. This is just so…” Aly was speechless. Bastet gave her another smile before returning to her throne. She sat down and suddenly the room began to fade.

 

“I must send you back now child, for your friends are waiting. Remember, I'll watch over you as long as you bear my symbol.”

 

Aly felt the floor disappear as darkness surrounded her.

 

“Good luck human.”

 

XXXXXXXXXXX

 

“Aly?” Ryou called. He struggled to his feet and made his way towards her figure. He felt like his heart was going to explode it was beating so fast. He stared at her, she had not moved.

 

“Aly?!” he called again. She still did not move. Ryou stumbled down to his knees and leaned over her. Her face was not pale and her chest was slowly moving up and down. Relief flooded over Ryou. He gave a shaky smile and called once more.

 

“Aly? Can you hear me?” Aly stirred slightly, then opened her eyes a bit.

 

“R-Ryou?” she asked. Ryou smiled happily quickly whipped away tears of fear and joy.

 

“Aly you're ok!” he cried. He suddenly felt the urge to hug her or something but instead held her hand.

 

“Ryou…what happened? Bakura was beating you up…and I-I…” Aly blushed slightly and sat up. Then she looked around. “Where is he?” she asked.

 

Ryou turned his head but Bakura was no longer there. Ryou thought about trying to contact him mentally but decided against it. If Bakura had left then he hadn't wanted to talk.

 

“Why?” Ryou suddenly asked. Aly gave him a curious look.

 

“Why what?” she asked.

 

“Why did you risk getting hurt to help me?” Ryou asked curiously. Aly's look softened a bit and she even chuckled.

 

“I'm your friend silly. That's what friends do, they help each other out and support one another,” she replied. Ryou gave her a small smile but it turned into a frown.

 

“I'm sorry,” he said softly, looking at the ground.

 

“Sorry? About what?” Aly asked, trying to make eye contact with him. Ryou sighed.

 

“I didn't help you. I really wanted to but-but I was too afraid to face Bakura,” Ryou said, shaking his head miserably. Aly frowned and gave him a sad look.

 

“Oh Ryou you didn't let me down!” she cried, shifting to a kneeling position and putting a hand on his shoulder. They were very close now. “I know you would have helped me if you could! You were already weakened from him beating you up,” Aly said comfortably. Ryou shook his head once more.

 

“No…I should have helped you…” he said, his voice dripped with sadness. Aly almost felt like crying. His sadness made her sad.

 

“Please Ryou don't talk like that. When you're sad it makes me sad,” she said sadly. Ryou looked up at her, fresh tears in the corners of his eyes.

 

“Sorry, I don't want you to be sad,” Ryou replied, regret in his eyes. Aly's stomach did a flip, she was not helping.

 

“Stop it Ryou! You don't have to be sorry. I'm not upset with you…I could never be upset with you…” Ryou met Aly's gaze. His eyes were filled with sadness and regret but also a bit of happiness. Ryou saw caring and sadness in Aly's eyes. For a moment neither spoke. They had both just seemed to notice how close they were, how close their faces were. Aly moved forward slightly and so did Ryou. Each teen's stomach did a flip but just as their faces were within an inch of each other…

 

“Hey Aly, Ryou!” Joey called running towards them. Aly and Ryou quickly jumped apart as their friends ran up.

 

“Are you guys ok?” Yugi asked worriedly. Aly and Ryou both nodded.

 

“You don't look ok!” Tristan said offering his hand to Aly. Joey did the same for Ryou.

 

“Oh Aly you've got a horrible bruise on your shoulder and Ryou you're covered in them!” Tea cried.

 

“It's nothing…” Ryou mumbled.

 

“Yes it is! Come on, let's get out of here and get you guys fixed up,” Yugi said. It was then that Ryou and Aly actually realized how much their bodies hurt. It hadn't mattered a few moments ago but now Aly felt pain with each step and Ryou rubbed his head from when he'd been thrown into the wall.

 

“We can go to my house,” Aly said shyly. “My parents will still be at work.” Everyone nodded in agreement and helped the two injured teens home.

 

 

Ryou's P.O.V

 

Ryou sat down onto the sofa as Aly went to fetch some ice. It was a cozy home with a few pictures of family members and things like hair brushes, hair ties, or CD cases left here and there.

 

He couldn't really enjoy the nice home that much because everyone's eyes were on him. Tea and Serenity were giving him a pity look, Tristan and Joey were giving him a questionable look and Yugi was giving him a mixture of both.

 

Ryou's throat felt dry. He knew they expected to know what was going on and it would be easier to say it if he wasn't in front on Aly. Ryou took a breath.

 

“He was mad at me…we'd gotten in a fight and he was mad at me. That's why he was…acting the way he was,” Ryou lied quietly.

 

There was a small silence before Yugi said, “Are you sure Ryou? We thought that Bakura was nice to you now but…Is he still hurting you Ryou?” Yugi asked quietly.

 

Ryou thought for a moment. Should he actually tell the truth or should he lie? No doubt that if he told the truth Yami would try to beat Bakura up or challenge him to a duel then Bakura would be even madder at Ryou. Then again if he didn't tell Bakura might keep hurting him. Either way Ryou got the short end of the stick. When he didn't reply Yugi said:

 

“Ryou please answer me.” Yami and Yugi were probably talking right now. Yami would be getting all mad because Bakura was picking on his light and then Yugi would have to calm him down. Ryou opened his mouth to answer but just then the door swung open and Aly stepped in with the ice.

 

“Here,” she said, handing him a pack for his much bruised but luckily not seriously injured head. Ryou nodded in thanks and the group sat in silence for a moment. The only sounds heard were the clinking off the ice in the icepacks and the occasional sighs of the teens.

 

The silence was broken momentarily when Yugi said, “Yami is on his way over.”

 

The silence continued until a cat entered the room. The curious cat mewed and sniffed the visitors. Everyone seemed to be watching him rather then talking. Cookie rubbed against Ryou's legs and jumped up on his lap. He timidly gave the cat a pat on the head and it rubbed against his hand before curling into a ball. He continued to pet the cat because the cat's purring was somewhat comforting.

 

“That's Cookie,” Aly whispered.

 

Suddenly there was a loud knock on the door, causing the cat to jump and dig its nails into Ryou's legs.

 

“Come in!” Aly called and a door slammed open. Seconds later the Yami stepped into Aly's living room. Aly motioned for him to sit in the nearest chair. There was a short silence before Yami asked:

 

“What happened? Yugi said that there had been a fight and that Bakura had tried to send Aly to the Shadow Realm.”

 

Ryou shifted uncomfortably under Yami's gaze. “Yes, that's what happened…we were fighting and Aly got caught up in it,” Ryou said quickly and quietly. Yami sighed and said:

 

“That Tomb Robber is up to it again isn't he? I told you he was pure evil. Reckless, doesn't care who gets hurt. Doesn't feel guilty about what he's done, all he cares about is himself.”

 

Ryou almost said something in his darkness's defense but knew Yami wouldn't care. Yes Bakura might be bad sometimes and yes he did hurt people but…Ryou remembered that Bakura had taken care of him when he was sick. He'd shown some sort of kindness, which meant he wasn't pure evil.

 

Yami was still gazing at Ryou but seeing the boy's discomfort he softened his expression a bit. Ryou had to admit he liked Yugi's other half a bit more then Yugi himself. Yami was wise, and stern but kind. He wasn't happy all the time but he wasn't angry either.

 

The tense conversation ended when Aly cleared her throat and began to speak.

 

“I don't know how to explain this but…something strange happened. When, when I was about to be…sent to the Shadow Realm…well…I met someone,” she said, her gaze was on the floor rather then meeting the stares of her friends. “This might have been a dream but…it seemed too real. What happened was I was in what seemed to be some kind of Egyptian temple and there was this woman-goddess-named Bastet. She said that…well she told me that it was her who had stopped Ryou's evil side, Bakura.”

 

Yami's eyes widened along with everyone else's. “The goddess Bastet actually brought you to her domain?” he asked. “Why? Why did she save you?” Aly looked at Yami.

 

“She said it was because I bore her symbol,” Aly replied, fingering the cat head around her neck. Yami looked at it.

 

“May I see that?” he asked. Aly frowned, remembering the goddesses warning.

 

“Well…the goddess made very clear I wasn't supposed to take it off. She said that then she wouldn't be able to protect me,” Aly replied. Yami nodded, although he might have pointed out there was no need to be afraid at the moment.

 

“This is weird. You met an actual GODDESS?” Joey exclaimed. Aly nodded. Joey and Tristan seemed aw struck but Tea was giving Aly a strange look as she mumbled something with “…only one god…” and “…holy savior…” in it.

 

“Bastet said that she didn't have as many followers as she used to and that's why she's going to protect me. I'm not her follower but she says as long as I bear her symbol I'm safe. It's kind of confusing,” Aly told Joey.

 

“Bastet, she always was a protective person…” Yam said.

 

“Have you ever met her Yami?” Yugi asked. Yami nodded.

 

“Bastet was loyal to me and stayed by my side during battles. She defended me and helped slaughter my enemies. Of course she was in her lion form then.” Now it was everyone's turn to stare at Yami wide eyed. Yet again Tea mumbled something bitterly.

 

“Well, this is strange…” Yugi commented and the others nodded their heads in agreement.

 

“So…do you want us to stay with you until your parents get home?” Yugi asked Aly. Aly shook her head.

 

“Actually I've got homework to do,” she replied.

 

“You sure Aly? We could do homework together,” Tea offered. Aly shook her head again.

 

“Its ok guys I'll be fine,” she replied with a smile. Yugi smiled at her in return.

 

“Ok then, I guess we'd better go…” Aly walked he friends to the door and bid farewell to them. Ryou made sure he was the last one out.

 

“I hope you feel better Aly,” he said quietly. “Thank you for helping me today, but, I-I don't think you should do it anymore.” Aly gave him a confused and hurt look.

 

“It's just that-I don't want you to get hurt,” he replied quickly. Aly gave Ryou a sad smile.

 

“What I did was kinda stupid, rushing in with no help. I could have just gotten a teacher,” she replied. There was an awkward silence and Yugi quickly hurried everyone ahead as to give Ryou and Aly a bit more privacy.

 

Both teens looked at each other. Just that morning Ryou had been dying for a moment alone with Aly, now he had it and he didn't know what to say.

 

“Well, see you tomorrow,” Aly finally said. Ryou smiled but mentally kicked himself for missing a golden opportunity.

 

He was about to leave when he felt Aly touch his shoulder. He turned around and, to his surprise, before he could even meet Aly's gaze she planted a kiss on his left cheek.

 

It was a quick kiss but a kiss none the less. When Aly's lips left his cheek he felt frozen. He knew his face must be bright red for it felt warm. Aly was blushing too. He smiled and she smiled.

“You really do have a great smile,” she said before slowly closing the door. Ryou stared at the door for a moment, thinking about knocking but he remembered the others were waiting for him up ahead so he quickly dashed up the street, hoping his blush would fade away soon.

 

Ryou turned the corner but instead of finding all of his friends he found Yami. The spirit gave him a concerned look and Ryou sighed.

 

“Ryou, we need to talk,” Yami said in a stern but gentle tone. Ryou nodded and Yami approached him, dropping his voice a bit.

 

“Ryou, please tell me the truth.” Ryou gazed down at the side walk. Why did his friends have to witness what had happened? Now they'd all know it was still happening. He remembered the first time they'd found out. Yami had wanted to talk to him then to. Ryou remembered he'd started to cry in front of the spirit. It had felt good and yet bad to tell. How would it feel if he told today?

 

“Ryou please answer me. I can help you. We can help you. We're your friends,” Yami said putting a comforting hand on Ryou's shoulder. Yami had always been good a comforting people, at least Ryou thought so. He acted so much like a father figure.

 

“Ryou?” Yami asked. Ryou swallowed. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. He took a deep breath and tried again.

 

“Y-you see…he's n-not all bad…” Ryou began. He felt a knot in his chest tighten. He didn't want people to know but he didn't want to get hurt. He didn't want Bakura to hate him and he didn't want to make Bakura sound bad. Yami thought the worst of Bakura all the time.

 

“He…he just gets angry s-sometimes…” Ryou had no clue what to say. Yes Bakura beat him; yes he wished it would stop. No Bakura wasn't always bad, no he didn't want Bakura to go away, no he didn't want Bakura mad at him, and no he didn't want Bakura to beat him up.

 

“He's not m-mean all the time…” Ryou's palms were sweaty and his was shaking.

 

“Why did they have to see? Why is this so hard? Why am I shaking?” he asked himself.

 

“Ryou please look at me,” Yami ordered gently. Ryou lifted his head up and got caught in Yami's gaze.

 

“He hurts you?” Yami asked softly. Ryou took a small breathe and nodded his head. He couldn't lie well to begin with but he couldn't even lie in front of Yami. It was very hard to lie when Yami was looking at you.

 

Yami gave Ryou a sad look and looked away. Ryou looked at the ground aware of what he'd just done.

 

“Bakura's going to be so mad…he'll hate me…he'll think I hate him and he'll punish me. He'll never show his nice side again…”

 

“…idiotic, horrible, sick, bastard,” Yami said bitterly to himself. Ryou looked up quickly.

 

“No!” he cried. Yami turned back to the boy. “No, I told you, he's not all the time. He-he just doesn't know how…He can be really…good at times,” Ryou replied. Yami didn't get it. He was wise, respectful and was good at comforting people but he couldn't seem to be willing to give Bakura a chance.

 

Yami shook his head sadly. “Ryou he may be kind to you sometimes but that still doesn't make up the fact that he hurts you. He's your darker half and should protect you.”

 

“He does! He keeps the school bullies away!” Ryou cried despretly. He was aware that there were tears in the corner of his eyes now.

 

“But he hurts you Ryou. He hurts you for no good reason,” Yami replied. Ryou opened his mouth to reply but sound wouldn't come out. He couldn't think of what to say so instead he looked at the ground once more and hoped his hair would cover his teary face.

 

There was a small silence and Yami patted Ryou's back comfortably. Finally Yami said:

 

“I'm going to talk to Bakura. I know you probably don't want me to but I won't let him hurt you. You can either come with me now and I'll leave you with him for the night or you could come home with me and Yugi tonight and I'll talk to him privately.”

 

Ryou sighed and thought. Yami would talk to Bakura eventually but waiting till Bakura cooled off would probably be good. If Ryou went home tonight Bakura would probably beat him within an inch of his life. Actually Bakura would probably beat him as soon as they were alone together. Ryou couldn't run away from his yami, he'd learned that already, but maybe if Bakura had a day to think he'd be less mad.

 

“I'll…I'll go home with you guys tonight,” he replied softly, still not looking up. Yami nodded and led Ryou down the sidewalk with his arm around the boy's shoulder.

 

XXXXXXXXXXX

 

Emmy: That was a bit sadder then I'd originally intended it to be. I'm trying to create a sort of bond between Yami and Ryou as Yami being a father figure. I've always thought that even though Yami was tough during duels he was a caring person on the inside he just doesn't show it as much as Yugi.

 

Raven: Well said, now, as the head of very important announcements I will tell you that we'll be releasing a new story called Knighthood soon. We're NOT dropping this story.

 

Bakura: Knighthood is stupid, just about a bunch of Girl Power tomboys.

 

Ryou: You're just angry because Emmy's making you a bit meaner and emotionally insufficient in this book.

 

Bakura: (glares)

 

Raven: R&R please, reviews are to us as vacations are to teachers.