Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Leave Sanity at the Door ❯ Separation ( Chapter 12 )

AN: OMG!  I LIVE!  I made it through the semester *happy dance*.  And I updated!  I am taking this off hiatus though I don't know if it will go back on once school starts again on the 5th.  But since I have limited time I am going to TRY (Meaning will give it my best shot but may not be able to) update every three days.  That and I have to finish that one shot for the contest; it's going to be a Ryou/Anzu so look for it!  Anyway not many notes here.  But I had a lot of time jumps because I didn't have a lot of significant stuff going on except some angst building and I have enough of that in here so that's why I speed up time a bit .  Also later the scene with the cops, I didn't do it because it was straight forward and I've repeated what happened (although a bit in chunks) what happened enough times where it's getting repetitive.  I hate that in anime and I won't do it in a fic.  Anyway hope it's not too crappy after just coming back to writing and hope you enjoy!

Japanese:

Oniichan - Older Brother

Disclaimer: I no own Yugioh, though I wish I owned two certain white haired bishies!  I'll just have to settle for plushies for now.

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"Leave Sanity at The Door"

Chapter 12:  "Separation"

         &nb sp;  She felt like she was being ripped in two.  They weren't going to a high level security and it sounded like they might be released soon.  But….she couldn't see him.  She held back her tears trying to put up a brave front until they made it to her room, that's where they planned to let them say 'goodbye.' 

         &nb sp;  Ryou was stuck in shock the first few minutes after he said that.  'Can he do that?  Would he do that?  This can't be happening!'  But once shock was over it was replaced by anger, the depression.  'Of course he can do this, he runs the damn place!'  He felt like screaming and crying at the same time.  Up until that moment he considered this to be a good day with being able to see his brother.  He was knocked from his revere as she quietly spoke.

         &nb sp;  "They're gone."  He looked up to see they were in her room and indeed the orderlies were gone, he hadn't even noticed they'd arrived yet.

         &nb sp;  "Anzu," he said turning to face her with a disheartened look on his face which only got worse as he saw silent tears streaming down her face before she grabbed him in a hug around the waist holding on for dear life as if that could keep him here.

         &nb sp;  "How can he do this?  He can't can he?"

         &nb sp;  "Anzu…"  He couldn't tell her what they both already knew, so he just put his arms around her and held her close trying to comfort her sobs.  "It'll be ok, really.  I mean they said that we could visit again when one of us gets out, and by the sounds of it it'll be you.   You've been here longer, and you're making faster progress."

         &nb sp;  "I don't care," she all but screamed.  "I-I don't want to be away from you."

         &nb sp;  "It'll just be for a little while ok?"  He was really trying not to cry himself.  Mostly because the last time he wanted to cry this badly was when his mother died.  'Come on you have to be strong,' he forced a smile on his face but that seemed to make her cry harder.

         &nb sp;  "Please don't," she whispered through a harsh cry.  "I don't want to see you smile unless it's real."  He felt almost ashamed as he was drawn back to what he was doing before he came there.  He held her until her cries became quieter and he leaned down kissing the last few tears trying to make their way down her cheek.  She put a hand on the side of his face and wiped a few stray tears of his own away before they leaned closer their lips slowly touching trying to convey emotions they could barely grasp themselves.  Trying to give each other a bit of their own strength through that one action that brought them closer together. 

         &nb sp;  Anzu was the first to slowly pull away looking into his soft brown eyes that were still wet with unshed tears she knew he'd probably release once back in his own room.  "Anzu, you trust me right?"  She was a bit shocked at the desperation she heard in his voice.  She nodded afraid of her own voice right then.  "Promise me you'll get stronger and get out of here.  And when you do, don't forget me."

         &nb sp;  "B-Baka," she all but screamed gripping him tightly.  "I promise I'll get out and come back for you.  I-I'll wait for you."  She felt him stiffen before he pulled her closer into his embrace.

         &nb sp;  "I was afraid to ask that of you, but if you can seriously say that, I can seriously say this…I love you."  Anzu felt tears well up in her eyes again as her voice caught in her throat.  In all the time they had known each other and all the time they had spent together he had never said that to her before.  But just like that, the perfect moment was ruined as the orderlies came and grabbed him to escort him out.  She tried desperately to tell him she felt the same, that she loved him more then life itself.  But his brave confession had stunned her temporarily into silence as she fell weakly to her knees, tears streaming silently down her face.  The door was closed leaving her in the dark room as she whispered the words only she could hear, "I love you…"

         &nb sp;  She held her coat tightly against her body as the chilly autumn air whipped against her harshly.  She took a good look around at the grass slowly turning a darker green and brown in some areas as autumn fought against the dying summer heat.  She turned her eyes to the building behind her and gripped something in her pocket as she looked up at it and wondered where he was right then.  Today she was being released home to her parents.  She had put everything she had into recovery after her separation hoping against all odds to get out of there.  The loneliness ate away at her like piranha ravenously savoring her anguish.  But she pushed it all to the back of her mind and mentally yelled at herself to be stronger.  The only way she'd ever see him again was if she got out of here.  So three and a half weeks later after much suffering and pain she had found a hold on this reality of hers and they had finally declared she was fit to be released.  Her parents had been thrilled, of course. 

         &nb sp;  She knew her parents were good deep down but she had to wonder if her mother was happier for her return for other reasons.  She knew her mom would try and get her and Shizuka and Duke back together ASAP, but she doubted if her dad would let her on her first day back home.  'Home…'  Even as she thought it, this word did not bring up the image of the house she had grown up in her entire life, but instead…him.  She gripped the coin in her pocket tighter, the same coin she had found buried in the spot behind the bushes where they had first 'met.'  She smiled at the thought.  She couldn't place what kind of coin it was, but she knew it was from him and she had kept it near her always.  It was then a yellow taxi pulled up and her mother got out ushering her into the warm car smiling and hugging her.  She got in and found her dad sitting on the other side of the taxi, keeping her in the middle.

         &nb sp;  "Anzu we're both so glad you're finally coming home with us.  This whole thing has been so hard on you; we just want you back and happy again."  Anzu's smile faded slightly but stay put.  As it was she wanted to run back in the building and demand to see him.  But Pegasus had warned her she was to return home for a minimum of three days before she would be allowed to visit any of her friends back here.  He had said it as a courtesy even though both of them knew there was only one person here she wanted to see. 

         &nb sp;  She kept the small smile on her face as her mom went on and on about all the things they were going to do once she was home.  Which wiped the smile completely from her face as she remembered something.  "Mom," she said quietly interrupting her mother who didn't seem to mind and waited for her to continue.  "When are they coming to see me?"  She avoided her mothers gaze and the question seemed to have sucked all the happiness from her.  She didn't have to say who 'they' were; they both knew she meant the police.  She wasn't able to give a real statement since she had been in a psychiatric hospital and they couldn't base anything from what she had said in there.  But now that she was out, she was finally going to report him.  She felt the bit of fear that always seemed to try and creep into heart whenever she thought of it tighten its hold, but that just made her hold the coin tighter until it was pressed painfully into her palm and the fear faded away. 

         &nb sp;  "Tomorrow, they wanted to let you rest up and enjoy a day back.  They said they'd be over about noon."  Anzu nodded her head in agreement.

         &nb sp;  "Sorry mom, I just want to get passed this.  I've been trying to for all these months and now I just want to get it done with and put it behind me to get back to my life."  She gave her mom a genuine smile that seemed to revive her mother's energy from a few minutes ago.

         &nb sp;  "That's good because your friends are coming over tomorrow after you talk to them.  They tried setting up an ambush on you today to welcome you back, but we told them you just got your voice back and shouldn't be wearing it out so soon."  Anzu giggled and looked over to her father who was smiling at the two in silence, just glad his little girl was back.

         &nb sp;  "If you were that serious you could call up Shizuka and tell her and she'd make sure I rested.  She's probably keep me under lock and key in my room and not let me out unless I had to go the bathroom or eat or something."

         &nb sp;  "Yeah but she'd also probably keep that up even after you got your strength back," her mom joked.  It was true even though Shizuka was younger then her when it came to her best friend since the first grade she'd do anything for her.  Which in a way kind of scared Anzu but it was still nice to know she had someone like that.  But even as she thought back to the life awaiting her, and all of her old friends waiting with open arms and smiles and going back to her life before she remembered her promise.  It was more then just the promise, she felt an ache in her heart, the same ache she'd had since a piece of it had been taken away from her.

         &nb sp;  'I will come back for you Ryou.  Just wait, in a few more days…'  She felt her eyes watering as her heart seemed to race as his image took form in her head.  'In a few more days…I can see him again.'  This time she couldn't help the single tear that slid down her face and her mom noticed.

         &nb sp;  "Anzu, what's wrong," she asked concerned how her daughter seemed so happy a minute ago.

         &nb sp;  "I'm just so happy," she said and meant it, though her mother thought it was for a different reason, she was happy none the less.

         &nb sp;  It felt kind of weird to be lying in her own bed again, comforter pulled up to her chin as she lay on her side staring out the window as the rain pelted against the glass creating tiny rivers streaming down to the ground.  The police had left a little over an hour ago, and she felt more drained then she had in so long.  She desperately wanted to see Ryou, to be in his arms, for him to whisper it'd be all right.  She clutched the pillow tighter fighting off the tears.

         &nb sp;  Even as she had already relived the terror once when she regained her memories and tried to work through them, it still hurt every time she thought of it.  But the police had been kind and let her take her time on the matter.  They were a little startled to hear just who it was.  Most likely the story would be all over the news by tomorrow.  The police had already told her this would all be confidential until the trial and it would be closed off to the public.  Even though they tried to reassure her, she was pretty sure it would eventually get out, and she didn't even want to think of when it did.  They'd probably accuse her of all these horrible things, and dig up weird things from the past that had no ties to the event.  Or worse…they'd find out about her and Ryou…She silently prayed if nothing else to let Ryou stay out of it.  He was no part of this and she didn't want him brought into the spotlight because of her. 

What was worse was while she was in the hospital the group Doom had soared to the top of the charts and were now idols.  Trying to say such things about an idol would definitely cause some backlash for her.  'Why had it been me?  Why couldn't he find someone who liked him like that?  Why me?'  Her eyes flew open as she felt like she had just been slapped in the face.  "What am I doing?!  Sitting here in self pity!  Ryou wouldn't let me do this and neither will I!  And I am keeping my promise to him!  The day after tomorrow I'm going to see him!"  Just as she was going to continue her boosting little rant her mother called from downstairs.

         &nb sp;  "Anzu I have a group of people down here who've been waiting a few months to see you."  Anzu blinked coming out of her own little world and back to reality as her mother knocked and opened the door.  The first thing she saw was watery violet eyes as she was glomped before she had a chance to recognize the person.  Though there was only one person she knew with violet eyes like that.

         &nb sp;  "Yugi, it's so good to see you again!"  She was able to pry his arms a bit loosening the hold from a death grip to a firm hug and hugged him back.  "I missed you so much!"

         &nb sp;  "Hey what about us, we chopped liver?" She looked behind Yugi at the small group of people waiting at her door.  Jou was standing there next to his sister who desperately looked like she wanted a hug as well.  Next to her was Ootogi smiling and keeping some distance between Shizuka and his long time rival in love, Honda.  And a bigger surprise came to her as she looked over and beside him was…

         &nb sp;  "Yami!  What are you doing here?!"  He was smiling brightly, brighter then the last time she had seen him.  Yami and she had dated in their junior high years but soon after she got into high school and joined up with Shizuka and Ootogi they broke up.  They were both more then a bit hurt but had agreed it was for the best.  But soon after that he had decided to study abroad over in Egypt where he knew some people.  It hurt to know the reason Yugi's brother left was because of her, but Yugi always told her it wasn't her fault and he was glad she was still his friend.

         &nb sp;  "I heard you were coming home and I had to come see you.  How are you?"  For some reason the thought, 'dumb question,' came into her mind and she tried not to sweat-drop.

         &nb sp;  "Not real bad, glad to finally be home.  It feels so weird, like coming home from summer camp or something."   

         &nb sp;  "Summer camp?  Anzu I think you were there too long," Shizuka joked lightly testing the water as it were to see if her friend was up for some joking.  She was relieved when Anzu cracked a smile and giggled.

         &nb sp;  "I know, I know, it's not even close but the feeling of being home again after so long is the same."

         &nb sp;  "They were nice to you right," Yugi said in a wavering voice looking quite worried.

         &nb sp;  "Of course Yugi.  Why would you think otherwise…," as she said this she sent a calculating towards Jou and Honda as they tried to play innocent.  Too bad Jou's sister wasn't about to let anyone think he was innocent.

         &nb sp;  "They told Yugi that sometimes they use electrodes and shock you and starve you and other creepy stuff."  The look she was giving the two boys now was an all out glare.

         &nb sp;  "Of course not Yugi, nothing close to that happened to me.  And the only really creepy thing there is the mystery veggies they served every other Saturday."  Yugi smiled and once again began to death grip her making everyone sweat drop until Shizuka pried him off and took his place.

         &nb sp;  "Wow it's good to hear from you after all these months, literally," she said with a chuckle.

         &nb sp;  "I know, it's still a bit odd having my voice back even now.  Sometimes someone asks me something and I automatically go to write it down or something before I catch myself and just talk."  Shizuka finally let go of her grip on Anzu and sat back on the bed. 

         &nb sp;  "So when do you think you'll be coming back to school," asked Honda tired of being quiet in the doorway.  But he got a quick elbow in the stomach from Ootogi as Anzu's smile quickly disappeared.  She wasn't really looking forward to school, no one who knew what happened had said a word about why she suddenly dropped out or why, and she knew there would be some questions awaiting her when she came back.  With as long as she'd been gone they'd probably think she was pregnant or something.  She sweat-dropped at the thought.

         &nb sp;  "Anzu?  Hello," Shizuka said calling her friend back from lala-land. 

         &nb sp;  "Huh?  Oh sorry, just thinking about how much fun that's going to be," she said sarcasm dripping from her words.  Shizuka flinched slightly but didn't back away.

         &nb sp;  "Sheesh it's not that bad.  No one said anything at first then they all said you died or had to go into hiding like with the witness protection program."

         &nb sp;  "And you didn't set them straight," Anzu all but yelled.

         &nb sp;  "You wanted us to tell them where you were," Shizuka asked baffled.

         &nb sp;  "No but you could have said it at least wasn't that!"

         &nb sp;  "But that was a lot nicer then the one that came later so when it came up we went with the first."

         &nb sp;  "The one that came later?"

         &nb sp;  "A lot of people said you got knocked up by a teacher since Mt.Yamada the gym teacher left about two weeks after you," Jou said not so tactfully.  Ootogi just sighed into his hand as Anzu's left eye twitched, 'I was right on,' she thought as her anger peaked at her classmates (minus her friends) idiocy!

         &nb sp;  "WHAT?!"

         &nb sp;  "He means a lot of people thought you were pregnant but we set them strait on that," Ootogi reassured her.  He may have been the playboy of the group but he had a decent head on his shoulders when he wasn't being swarmed by fan girls.  "Don't worry about school yet Anzu, come back when you're ready," he reassured her and came over to put a calming hand on her shoulder.  Under any normal circumstances he would have tried to put a move on her in a playful attempt but he knew better now.  "And when you are we'll be right here with you. We know the truth and we'll be your friends no matter what."  This got a round of nods from everyone else.

         &nb sp;  "And if anyone wants to say otherwise I'll give them a piece of my mind," said Jou.  "Unless it's a girl," he said as an after thought.  "Then I'll have Shizuka go after them."

         &nb sp;  "Oniichan," she whined at the insult.  They were interrupted by a knock on her door as her mom entered.

         &nb sp;  "I know it seems like you all just got here, but it's been a while and it's time for your pill Anzu."  Anzu sighed feeling like a total nutcase reject right then who had to pop pills.  In all truthfulness it was a very light sedative to calm her.  Pegasus had instructed her to take it for the first three days she was home as he knew of her plan to talk to the police and how taxing it would be on her.  Even though she hated the bastard for separating her and Ryou it seemed like he did have her interest at heart.  She nodded as her friends groaned and started back towards the door.

         &nb sp;  "Sorry Anzu but we probably won't be able to stop by again until the weekend."  Anzu felt saddened and it showed, but a the same time was a bit relieved as that was five days away, today being Sunday, and she wouldn't have to juggle time between her friends and Ryou right away.  

         &nb sp;  "It's ok, I'm just so happy to see you all again, I missed you all so much," she said trying to fight back tears. 

         &nb sp;  "Awww," and once again Yugi was hugging Anzu.  But even as he was hugging her everyone else also came up and gave their friend a hug goodbye.

         &nb sp;  "Even if we can't come and see you Anzu, if you need us just give us a call," said Shizuka as they were heading out the door.  "And I mean it."  Anzu nodded making sure to blink back the tears as her friend waved and left through the doorway.  Anzu turned to her mother again and sighed as she was handed the pill.  As she put it in her mouth and took a sip of water she couldn't help but think, 'just two more days.' 

         &nb sp;  Her mother left soon after, even though it was only a light sedative today had been taxing on her.  She quickly slumped down in her bed looking over to her window to see the rain had stopped and the clouds were slowly dissipating.  'Just two more days…wait for me Ryou...'

         &nb sp;  Anzu fidgeted again standing at the bus stop watching as girls going to different high schools in their uniforms eyed her wondering if she was old enough to be out of high school or just skipping.  She didn't mind though, she was going to see him today, after almost a month; she was going to see Ryou again!  Her smile was so bright it could have given Mr. Clean's head a run for its money (AN: I'm sorry bad joke).

         &nb sp;  The day before she had explained to her mother that even though she was out she promised a close friend she'd visit when she got out.  She hid the fact that this friend was male and that she happened to be kind of dating him.  Her mother knew about the escape about a month ago, but she had explained it and her mother had kind of brushed it aside, happier with her having her voice back at the time. 

         &nb sp;  She had gotten up extra early this morning, eating and dressing in almost the blink of an eye, leaving a note as she had left before her parents even woke up.  She had made it to the bus stop and gotten her route there down writing it on a slip of paper and even trying to memorize it as she waited the 45 minutes for the bus to arrive.  She had gotten a few weird looks but she didn't care, nothing could ruin this day for her.  She watched in anticipation as the bus slowly pulled up and opened the doors.  She was the first on taking a seat towards the back as it would be a long ride before she had to get off and take a second bus to get close to the hospital and a third that went by it.  She didn't care how long it took or how much money it cost, she was getting there!

         &nb sp;  Two hours later even though she was a bit tired, her energy seemed to double as she felt the bus slowing for its next stop.  She felt as giddy as she had a few hours ago, images of his face coming into her head as she took a step off the bus and made her way down the road towards the hospital.  Images of the first time she saw him, his soft white hair, his gentle brown eyes, his wide beautiful smile.  She felt her heart race as she once again thought of the last thing he said to her 'I love you…'  She didn't even try to hide her blush until she got to the little side road leading to the hospital and saw it sitting a ways back on a hill. 

         &nb sp;  She looked up at the almost ominous building she had been living in until three days ago.  But she shook her head and continued on into the building to the reception desk.  She should have made an appointment but she could wait all day for him to get a free minute if she had to.

         &nb sp;  "Hello, can I help you," the receptionist asked noticing the familiar girl.

         &nb sp;  "Yes, I'd like to visit one of the patients please.  A Ryou Bakura."  She continued smiling as the woman typed up the name and the computer made a small bleeping sound.

         &nb sp;  "Are you sure it's Ryou Bakura?  B-a-k-u-r-a?"

         &nb sp;  "Well I think so; I'm not too sure on his last name.  But I know his first name is Ryou."  The woman typed on her computer a bit more her face slowly slipping into a frown.

         &nb sp;  "The only Ryou we have registered as a patient is a Ryou Hoshimaru on the third level.  People on the third level can not have visitors."  Anzu felt her heart racing a thousand miles an hour as she came to grasp the information in front of her, her hope quickly dieing. 

         &nb sp;  "But-No I know there is another Ryou.  I saw him just about a month ago."

         &nb sp;  "That may be true dear, but the only reason I wouldn't be getting him on my screen was if he was gone."

         &nb sp;  "Gone?"  Anzu felt like her heart and sunk to her stomach.

         &nb sp;  "I'm reception, I only have current patients.  If he's not a current patient he's been released."

         &nb sp;  "So he's released," she asked excitedly her mood beginning to pick back up.  The nurse nodded.  "Can I have his address please?"

         &nb sp;  "I'm sorry that's restricted information."

         &nb sp;  "W-what?!"

         &nb sp;  "First of all, like I said I'm the receptionist, I only have information on current patients.  Second, we have a privacy policy that we cannot give out any information on patients without some kind of legal document.  I'm sorry but I can't help you."  Anzu sat there in shock for a moment before nodding dumbly and walking out the double doors and stopping looking at the ground trying to hold back her tears.

         &nb sp;  "This can't be real.  He got out but now I can't find him.  But…," her thought caught in her head as her heart gave a painful lurch.  'But if he was out why didn't he see me?  Ryou…Ryou what's going on?!'  She couldn't help the anguished sobs that came from her lips and let the tears flow freely.

AN:  Good?  Bad?  Ugly?  Please give me some info after such a long break I wanna make sure my writing didn't go down the crapper.  Hope you enjoyed!