Ray of Sunshine

Author’s Note: Another chapter ready for this story and I apologize for it being a bit shorter than usual. I’m trying to get them out as quickly as I possibly can because I know all of you are anxious to see what will happen next in each of my stories, and I am so grateful that you guys have stuck around and been so patient with me. Quality to me is important and sometimes, speed gets stuck on the back burner. Okay, answering some of the reviews, I know that this is a bit unusual but the idea stuck with me longer than most plot bunnies. As for how Yami and Yugi will find common ground, you’ll just have to wait and see! I know, I’m so mean to you guys, aren’t I? LOL!!! Despite my evilness, I hope that all of you will enjoy this chapter. Thank you to all who have reviewed and please continue to do so! Thanks to my ‘sisters’ DracOnyx and ladywolf_Terri for everything. You guys keep me strong and true to myself. I’m glad our paths have crossed. I know I’m a better person for it.

Disclaimer: Once again, I am troubled to admit that I really don’t own anything associated to YuGiOh, not even a deck! So, I really can’t claim anything except the plot bunny that spawned this and the wombat kennel reserved to flamers.

Chapter Three – Shadows

An elegant hand slammed down on the buzzing terror that dared to intrude on the safety of his dreams, knocking the alarm clock off of the small table. Crimson eyes opened after a few moments and locked on to the stained ceiling above him, focusing on breathing before the slender figure even tried to get off of the mattress and box springs that laid on the floor.

Biting back a groan, Yami picked himself up off of his bed and stumbled to the shower, craning the hot water on full and dropped his clothes on the floor, staring at his reflection in the mirror as he waited for the water to warm up.

Massive bruises covered the tanned skin that crossed his stomach, ribs, upper arms, and thighs. The discolored flesh looked as if someone had mixed purple, blue, and black paint together before applying that paint in large areas. However, it wasn’t paint and Yami couldn’t even pretend that the injuries were mild. It hurt him to move and even breathing was agony.

He never misses the areas that won’t show, Yami mused to himself as he stared at his reflection. Dismissing his dark thoughts, he quickly showered and dressed for school, thankful that the detention he’d been punished for had given him enough time to complete all of his assignments. Given the mood his father had been in, homework hadn’t been an option. If he managed to keep his temper and not be late for any classes today, detention shouldn’t be a problem. Considering his father’s reaction to yesterday’s detention, another one would not be healthy for him at all.

The walk to school was almost torture but Yami focused on his anger, using it to drive the pain away long enough for him to make it on time. He absolutely refused to give his father another excuse to attack him and also knew he’d have to be careful so that no one would discover his pain.

Yugi, who had been sitting in the classroom, listened idly to the conversations going on around him. He heard Bakura and Marik, who were sitting not too far behind him, discuss plans for the weekend. From the sound of it, it seemed that their group had rather big plans for mischief making and fun. His keen ears were drawn from the discussion when somewhat familiar footsteps entered the room. He frowned as he focused on those footsteps, wondering why the rhythm was so off. Something wasn’t right, the blind teenager knew, and concern filled him as he continued listening to the sound.

“Hey Yami!”

There was no response to Marik’s greeting and Yugi shook his head, adjusting the sunglasses that were sliding down his nose. His concern was only growing, knowing that Yami was not one to ignore his friends. Especially considering the amount of mischief they had caused in all of the classes Yugi shared with them. Unable to hold back his worry, he decided to act, hoping that someone might be able to discern why the rhythm of the footsteps had been off. Turning slightly to where he knew Yami’s two friends were sitting, his soft voice grabbed their attention.

“Is he all right?”

Bakura’s mahogany gaze turned to Yami’s small double, sharpening at the look of concern on the boy’s face. The kid had not spoken to them since joining the school yesterday and given the first meeting with Yami, the white haired teen was not expecting such a question from the small teenager.

“Why do you ask?”

“I know I’ve only heard him move a few times, but something is wrong. The rhythm is all wrong. He’s moving like he’s hurting.”

Mahogany eyes met violet, holding a silent discussion, before the two moved away from their posts towards their friend. Yami barely acknowledged them and nearly yelped as they pulled him out of his seat, moving out of the classroom.

“What the fuck?”

Marik’s voice was low and calm as he addressed his shorter friend. Like Bakura, he’d known Yami for years and knew that when the tri-haired teen was acting like this, something was definitely wrong. He could only hope that it wasn’t as bad as the it had been the last few times.

“How bad is it?”

“Chest hurts the worst.”

The blond and white haired teens moved their friend into the handicapped bathroom, locking it behind them.

“Shirt off, Yami, we need to check your ribs.”

Too tired to argue with Bakura’s demand, Yami unfastened the uniform jacket and removed the shirt, staring blankly at the wall. He never reacted when he heard the curses from his friends, knowing that this had happened too many times and their reactions would be the same as it had been. A pattern had developed between the three of them after so many years of the abuse from the man who had sired him, and it was a pattern that Yami knew by heart.

Per routine, the two carefully checked his ribs, making sure nothing was broken before handing him back the rest of his uniform. As Yami slowly dressed, Bakura and Marik stormed around the small room, cursing violently in as many languages as they both could. Each threat towards the crimson eyed teenager’s father became more and more graphic as their anger increased by the minute.

After a few minutes by Yami’s count, Marik turned towards Yami and began the conversation they’d had so many times over the years of their friendship. This was the part he wished they could skip, knowing that they were right but also knowing that there wasn’t a damned thing he could do about it either.

“Yami, you’ve got to do something about this. You can’t keep letting him do this to you.”

Yami shook his head, easing himself into the jacket, as he answered the blond haired teenager.

“There’s not a lot I can do, Marik. If I told a teacher, the old man would kill me for sure.”

Bakura spoke up from his position against the wall. Concern colored his voice, making softer than it usually was.

“He’s going to kill you eventually, Yami. He targets those areas because he knows no one will see them. How long will it be before he snaps and does something worse to you? He’s crazy when he’s drunk, you know that.”

Yami only nodded, knowing that his friends were right, but he didn’t see a way out of the hell he’d been trapped in for so damned long. If he told anyone about the abuse, his father would snap and probably kill him in his drunken rage. The man had been steadily losing the battle with alcohol and hadn’t kept a job for longer than three weeks thanks to his instability. It was only the money that Yami’s mother had left them that had enabled them to keep the house over their heads and food on the table. However, the teenager knew that the savings account was running low and would be gone soon if something wasn’t done to take care of it.

He said nothing as they went back to the classroom, unaware of the small teenager that had noticed their entrance. He was focused internally and tuned everything else out, working things out in his head.

At his desk, waiting for the teacher, he continued thinking about his situation, forcing every emotion save anger away. Because of the situation, Yami knew he was trapped in a prison and could only hope he would be able to survive until he was old enough to move out.

After class, Yugi was talking with two of his friends before Bakura approached him and pulled him aside for a moment. The small teenager tilted his head up to where the voice was coming from, an inquisitive expression on his face.

“What did you need?”

“Thanks for letting us know something was wrong with him, kid.”

Yugi nodded, concern coloring his voice and easily seen on what portion of his face his sunglasses didn’t cover.

“Is he all right?”

“He will be. Make sure to keep this between us.”

Yugi recognized the warning in the taller teenager’s tone and nodded again, answering in a way he knew Bakura would understand.

“I won’t say a word. It’s his business, not mine.”

“Good. You’re all right, kid.”

Knowing he was now alone, Yugi made his way back to his friends, wondering why he felt so much concern about the teenager that had been so rude to him yesterday. He cleared his head with a soft sigh, focusing once again on his friends.

“What did he want, Yugi?”

“Nothing too important. It was just a quick question regarding the homework assignment. He wanted to make sure he had it down right. I guess he saw me taking notes and knew I’d have the information he needed.”

Duke said nothing and Yugi changed the topic to their weekend plans, walking with his friend as they made their way to the next class. Despite his cheerful attitude, the concern for the other teenager didn’t fade. He could only hope that whatever had caused the problem for Yami would end up being resolved.

End Note – Another chapter done and more to come! And for those who aren’t happy with me for Yami’s situation, please be patient and stay with me. Things should get better soon for him! Please be kind and review. If you want to be included on my notification list, please make sure to leave an email address where you can be reached. Thanks for hanging with us and being so patient.