UPDATE COMPLETE! MWAHHAHAHA!Technically I am a day late because march was the month for this update! I apologize for typos and grammatical errors, I wanted to post this asap and after I read over one half one time and then the rest later, I could not go through it again. Its my fault for writing 8,800 words but hey, I am impressed I am getting consistent with the length of my story. So please tell me in a PM or review on how bad my grammar or wording of sentences is.

Any way THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE FAVORITED, FOLLOW, AND REVIEWED MY STORY! It means a lot to me that you like my story enough to read and review it.

OK RECAP! Ryou was taken into the life of fandom lovers and otakus, Malik lies to his friends about where he lives, Ryou is far sighted but can't read books up close. Ryou finally eats ramin again, AND a hint of foreshadow of events that might or have taken place.

(NOTE on Ryou's glasses: Unless it is specified that he is actually wearing said glasses, it is implied that he will be without.)

Disclaimer: DOWN WITH 4KIDS! ALL HAIL FANFICTION! ….even if I do not own the show 'technically' and I would never own 4kids…or that attempt at a little Kiribo quote...or would that be mine because I changed the words...ehh still don't own! I do own the plot though.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SQUIGGLES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the sun was just beginning to rise in the sky, the sound of an alarm clock pierced the air of a small, calm apartment. A lean, tan figure arose from the spot on his futon before promptly disabling the wailing device. The clock read five thirty am in bright green numbers. The tan figure ran his fingers through his sandy locks as he made his way to the bathroom and turned on the water for a shower. Stripping himself of his sleep wear, he stepped into the lukewarm streams and began to wash his tired body. Malik did not necessarily want to wake up this early, but if he wanted any form of a warm shower, he had to be up before everyone else in the building decides to take a shower around the same time.

Due to his detention yesterday, Malik was not able to take a hot shower in the school locker room like he commonly would. He did not necessarily need his water bill to skyrocket any more, especially now that Ryou is living with him. He knew that his apartment was run down and poor, but it still costs a good sum of money to rent.

After thoroughly yet quickly washing his body and hair of dirt and grease, he turned the water off and grabbed a surprisingly damp towel and began to dry his body of stray water droplets. Quickly wrapping the towel around his waist, Malik exited the bathroom and immediately began to take out the clothing of the day. Malik pulled on a white sleeveless under armor shirt with a dark navy blue sleeveless sweatshirt. A design of white stitches intricately spread out all over the sweatshirt. His tan legs were clad in black jeans followed by his blue converse he wore the day prior. Once again, he adorned himself with his Egyptian jewelry and kohl markings under his eyes. This outfit was a going away present from Odion and Ryou before he left for Japan.

Malik exited the small bedroom and entered to main room to see Ryou sitting on the ground with his head lying on his pale arms on the red coffee table. His eyes were open, but he gave off the appearance of being dead to the world around him. His backpack laid by his feet. It seems to not be as bulky as it was when it came home the day before. Malik also noticed that he was changed into another one of the few pieces of clothing he decided to bring along on his journey.

Ryou was wearing a simple black V-neck athletic shirt and black jeans that had the same chain he wore yesterday hanging from it. Once again, he had his leather bracelets wrapped around his wrists, his many piercings in his hear and the black beanie he wore the day before. Lying next to his head on the red painted surface t o the table was his black, slim rimmed glasses. Malik recognized that he wore the jacket t he received from Odion a few months before his own birthday. It was a purple and black stripped jacket that had black plastic kitty ears attached to the hood.

"Why does the world hate me in the morning Malik?" The tan man's roommate questioned him in a tired tone, not even bothering to raise his head.

"I don't know why, but I promise I will tell you when I find out." Malik responded as he walked towards the teen and patted his back. "How long have you been up anyway?"

"Since about three thirty this morning. I could not go back to sleep so around so I laid there until four. Then I decided to be productive and took a shower, dressed myself, resisted the urge to draw a mustache on your face with a sharpie, unpacked my backpack of personal possessions. And now I am here, wanting to go back to sleep and almost succeeded until you came in and started conversation." Ryou stated as he rolled his head to the side so that he could see his brother.

Malik gave his brother a sympathetic look as he made his way over to one of the few cabinets and began to look for food. But what Malik saw only made him wince. "Ok Ryou, we should leave for school soon."

Ryou looked at the small clock through the doorway to the bedroom before looking back at his brother with a raised eyebrow. "Malik it is six in the morning, school does not start until eight. Why should we arrive an hour and fifteen minutes before class even beings?"

Malik hesitated to answer Ryou's question. "U-um…ok, don't get mad at me about this, but the school knows of our situation as well as our current funds. The only reason they know was because Odion keeps them updated. Because of this, t-the school and Odion were in talks of ways to ease out living conditions at school and the idea of them providing two meals for us came up. At first the school was a little reluctant to provide two meals and not just regular lunch. It was something about it being unfair towards other students that we get two meals and they get one. B-but thanks to a friend of mine as well as Odion, they all came to the decision that they could provide a free breakfast every week day if we don't tell the other students as well as lunch we receive during the day. We are on our own for dinner and weekend meals though but that is completely understandable." Malik castes his brother an uneasy look, not really sure how he will take it.

Ryou always tends to be uneasy about letting other people know about what happened to them. This was out of fear for them might get involved if they attempt to help him or treat him differently than they actually would. It was like that even before he met Malik for the first time. It was also how Malik became involved with Ryou which led to them becoming brothers.

Ryou just shrugged it off and turned his head to look away from his brother. "Ok."

"You are not mad at me?" Malik questioned slowly.

"Of course I am not. Am I severely annoyed the school knows about it. Yes, but it is a way of providing one of the essential needs so we have one off our plate until or if we get into a more stable living condition."

Malik let out a sigh of relief at his brother's statement before he replied. "There is no if Ryou, I will figure out a way to get us a better and safer home than where we are now."

"And with my help, it will happen faster than you will ever believe." Ryou grinned. Malik could not help but return his brother's grin with one of his own.

"Yeah, yeah now come on. We need to start making our way to school, so put on your glasses and slip on your shoes so we can get going...plus I also need to finish a little homework but. It is fairly easy, so it can wait until after breakfast." Malik left the room only to return with Ryou's combat boots he wore the day prior. Ryou nodded and slipped on the foot ware he was handed, placed his finished homework into his book bag, put on his glasses and followed his brother out the door. "Oh before I forget, here." Malik handed his brother a small, silver object the size of his whole pointer finger. "It is a key to the apartment. You never know when we might get split up." Ryou nodded as he pulled the door closed behind him and slid the key into the lock, firmly sealing the door in its place. Before following his brother to school, he slid the small piece of metal into a pocket of his book bag so he would not lose it later.

As Ryou walked out of the poor apartment complex with his brother, he noticed that what his brother said was true. Although they were not in very deep into the heart of where the gangs and homeless are occupied, they still lived in a very poor and dangerous area. No, the building walls were not completely covered in spray paint from head to toe, but there were some gang symbols here and there. Cracked and rundown buildings surrounded them in a self destructing concrete jungle with thick metal vines drilled onto the outsides of windows in an attempt to protect those who inhabit the buildings from the outside world. There were very few people walking about this hour, those who seemed to be walking off their hang over or one of the people like Malik and Ryou who were trying to leave for their job or school before trouble finds them. Every now and then there were people huddled together under a cardboard roof with a either thin or thick blanket wrapped around them.

Ryou decided to just look at his brothers back for the remainder of the walk. Of course he had feelings of sympathy towards those on the street curb, but there was nothing he could do for them. He was in quite a similar situation, but what separated these two lives was that he had a worn down roof over his head and a very weak income of food and money. Ryou pulled his hood onto his head to block out his peripheral vision and continued to walk to school.

The buildings and around them gradually began to evolve in quality and size. The streets contained a calmer and more peaceful atmosphere around them.

Before the brothers knew it, they were walking into the quiet cafeteria and made their way to the kitchen. They passed rows upon rows of cold, empty tables with chairs neatly pushed in, just waiting to be destroyed by the student body at lunch.

"Mrs. Schnider! Are you here?" Malik called out as the two entered the school kitchen.

"Over here Malik, it is almost ready!" An elderly woman's voice called back.

"OK!" Malik smiled and turned to his brother, leading him towards the voice. "You are going to love Mrs. Schnider. Not only is she so sweet, but she has the best cooking I have ever tasted." Malik turns his head right to left, making sure the cost is clear around him for dramatic effect before leaning closer to Ryou's ear and whispered. "She also smuggles my Danishes or cream puffs from the teacher's lounge at lunch. But don't tell anyone." Malik winked at Ryou before he led his brother around a corner.

Before them was a thin, grey haired old woman. She came up to Ryou's lower chest in height and her hair was trimmed into a pixie cut. She appeared to be in her late sixties, early seventies. Upon her body she wore a light pink, cotton shirt with light brown pants and white shoes. Over top of that was a cream apron with flowers and bees designed on it, fastened tightly around her small waist. When she turned around from what she was working on, Ryou noticed that she had almond shaped hazel eyes.

"Oh Malik who would this young fella be with you today? Is he your boyfriend?" The woman asked sweetly.

Ryou's and Malik's eyes widened and looked at each other. They both noticed the other with a wild blush of embarrassment covering both their faces. They immediately looked away from the other and back to the woman who had an innocent look to her face.

"U-um, Mrs. Schnider…this is my brother NOT my boyfriend." Malik stated as he shook his hands in negation to her seemingly innocent question. "Remember, he was the only I told you about when I first came here?"

Mrs. Schnider's face turned into a pout as she thought back to that day. "Oh yes, now I remember! I was putting extra brussels sprouts in that group of annoying kid's lunches that day for throwing my food around the lunch room. The teachers had to monitor them to make sure they ate all the food." The old woman laughed before adding. "We weren't even serving brussels sprouts for lunch that day." This caused Ryou to let out a soft chuckle at how such a sweet looking woman can come up with such an evil punishment a cafeteria cook could come up with.

Malik smiled and laughed along with his friend and brother. When Malik first arrived in Japan, Mrs. Schnider immediately bonded with Malik, even though she knew very few details of his situation. At the time, he had yet to befriend Bakura and was wondering the halls during lunch when they bumped into each other. When she had asked him why he was not in the cafeteria eating and he told her that it was because his parents were poor and he had no food money nor was he very hungry. She did not take that well and promptly grabbed his wrist, dragged him straight into the kitchen and sat him down at the table they keep to eat at. She immediately set in front of him a cafeteria lunch and told him to eat it and if he would not she would force feed him. Yet Malik still refused saying that he was really not hungry, so the woman went through on her threat and fed him half of the food before he finally gave in. She told him to not to worry about paying her for the meal and come back to the kitchen tomorrow again. She even said that if HE didn't, she would hunt him down, drag him back and smack his with a wooden spoon before she would force fed him again. Coming to the kitchen for a free meal soon became a regular occurrence for Malik, which he was grateful for.

She was the friend who actually was able to get Malik and now Ryou breakfast. She willingly volunteered to come in early and provide food for the boys as long as the school provided fresh food for not only the breakfast, but for the kitchen in general. With reluctance, the school board agreed to her requests.

Malik smiles at Mrs. Schnider before speaking up. "Hey Mrs. S, did you make enough food for both of us today because if not just give it to Ry-"

"NO MALIK!" Ryou and Mrs. Schnider exclaimed simultaneously.

Mrs. Schnider sighed with a look of frustration etched into her face. "Malik, you need to learn sometimes that it is ok to be selfish towards some people you know, family or not." Ryou nodded in agreement with the woman.

"I am just looking out for him"

"I call bullshit." Ryou spat, which resulted in sudden pain emanating from the top of his head. Ryou pouted and rubbed his head while muttering a soft 'owe…how did she even reach my head?'

"I do not tolerate that vulgar in my Kitchen, do you understand me young man?!" Mrs. Schnider demanded in a loud stern voice. "And take that adorable hood off! It is not like it is raining in here!" Ryou nodded frantically towards the woman, not wanting to get hit again and he tore off his hood. The woman smiled and began to place food onto a plate. "Malik sweetie, be a lamb and be selfish and eat."

"I will meet you at the class room Malik." When Ryou turned to leave, he once again felt searing pain suddenly on the top of his head. He immediately nursed his hand as he turned to Mrs. Schnider who had a stern look on her face. "What did I do this time?" The white haired teen whined.

"You suggested on going without food as well. You may not be siblings by blood but you sure do have similar traits. Do I need to give you both lessons on selfishness?" The two teens shook their heads in unison. "Good now sit down, shut up, and eat! You both look hungry."

Mrs. Schnider placed two plates dull of food in front of the teens. Both were full of scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, and toast. They both immediately thanked the elderly woman before taking a bite.

As soon as both boys put the woman's cooking in their mouths, the mewed in delight and promptly went to devouring their meals quickly. Mrs. Schnider just smiled at the two as she went to cleaning the pans before she told them to get a move on to their form rooms before the school becomes filled with students.

As the two entered the form room, Ryou walked right to the desk he was assigned yesterday, shrugged off his backpack, placed his glasses on the desk, and pulled his hood over his head. He then promptly laid his head down on folded arms on the desk to get more minutes of blissful sleep. Malik just smiled and took the glasses off the desk so they would not fall off and would later be crushed. He then sat in his own seat next to his brother and began to finish his homework he had yet to finish the day before. As time went by, Ryou's breathing soon turned deep and longer breaths, signaling that he was successful in this attempt. Malik was able to just finish his math homework when as Marik and Akefia walked through the threshold of this class room.

Akefia was wearing a yellow shirt t-shirt along with a dark blue wife-beater, jeans, and black gym shoes. His backpack was slung half-hazardly over his shoulder. Marik was wearing a dark gray hooded sweatshirt along with torn jeans and light blue gym shoes. In his right hand was a steaming travel mug. Slung lazily over his left shoulder was his messenger bag.

Malik waves at the two as they approach him. This greeting was sent back with a wave of their own as they took their seats. "Why good morning. Nice to see some of us are bright eyed and busy tailed this agonizing Tuesday morning." Marik spoke before he took a long sip from his travel mug.

"I am only this awake because I just finished the rest of my homework."

"Cutting it a bit close are we?" Akefia commented from his seat.

"Well sorry, my parents kept me up last night with their constant bickering, not to mention my neighbor snores like a grizzly bear." Malik deadpanned through his lie.

"Do you even know what a grizzly bear snoring sound like?"

"Do you know what a grizzly bear snoring sounds like?" Malik threw back at the white haired teen.

Akefia thought before replying "Well no, but-."

"Then don't question my analogies. Save that for your debate cult meeting."

Akefia crossed his arms as he turned away muttering, "Debate club is not a cult. Besides I'm not even a member."

Marik just laughed and patted his sulking friend on the back before turning back to Malik. "So…your neighbor snores like a grizzly bear?"

Malik laughed before he retorted, "Ok maybe not like a grizzly bear, but he defiantly a cousin to a large dog."

"Heheh I understand you pain. Whenever we go on trips, we have to rent two hotel rooms because my mom always refuses to share a room with him sometimes. The only explanation she gives us is something about getting a moment of peace and 'girl time,' not to mention that we need to 'bond.' It's a load of bull shit because we all agreed on a 'family meeting,' we cleverly did not invite him to, that he snores like a fucking dragon. Anyway Odion and I would always flip a coin to see who shared a bed with him and somehow it is almost always me. I swear he cheats!" Marik fumes with a look of annoyance drawn on his face.

"There there, no need to get mad now. Just plot your revenge over night, then strike like a cobra!" Malik exclaimed with a smile.

"Yes and you shall help me plan this!"

"Why did you choose me?" Malik questioned.

"You're the first person I saw?" Marik stated uneasily

"That's like picking a plastic bottle at a party serving alcohol, knowing it could either be filled with water, vodka, or sprite that has gone flat."

Marik just stared at Malik with a disbelieving look on his face."When will that every happen? Who even puts vodka in a water bottle?"

"You'd be surprised actually."

Suddenly last figure of their 'friend group,' if that is what it is called, entered the room with a tired scowl. His white hair seemed to be more tousled than usual. He wore a white shirt with the phrase 'Don't tell me how to run my life' stenciled out in black spray paint. He wore faded navy jeans as well as simply grey converse. Instead of black studs going through his ears, he wore small, black hooped earrings this morning. He immediately dropped his backpack to the ground with a heavy thus and sat down in his desk. He then slammed his head down onto the desk roughly, taking Ryou's lead on gaining a few more minutes of sleep.

Marik, being the brave…or slightly crazy one of the group, poked Bakura in the head mumbling, "What is wrong with you?"

The white haired teen grew more and more irritated with every poke. Marik barely had enough time to move his finger away from the teeth that attempted to clamp down on his tan digit.

"Wait I think I can answer this." Akefia suddenly spoke and all three teens turned to face him. "Your family us in from out of town...well country?"

"Yup."

"You have to share a room with you twin cousins?"

"Yup."

"No one really understands personal boundaries and possessions?"

"Stupid hugs."

"Constant poking and curiosity of what you are doing?"

"Uh huh."

"Your Aunt and Uncle are questioning you on what your life choices and told you stop dying your hair white and to cut it?"

"Ding Ding fucking ding, we have a winner. Would you like a prize?" Bakura spat irritably.

"I will cash that in for later." Akefia finished with a grin. Malik and Marik winced, both having a vague understanding of annoying family members. Bakura merely groaned took out his I-pod and began to listen to music. In the process, he laid his head back on the table, softer this time decided to try and get more sleep.

As time passed, the bell for the beginning of form came and none of the tanned teens attempted to awaken their white haired companions for fear of their figures being bitten. But sadly, mission impossible soon had to be put into action.

The group huddled into a corner, discussing their plan.

"Ok, who is going to wake up whom?" Marik inquired.

"I am not waking up Ryou!" Malik quietly hissed.

Marik raised an eyebrow at Malik. "Why? Wouldn't he be the easier of the two to wake up."

"Ok, just so you know, I got lucky all those times I woke him up. I would and was honestly very terrified if we were not in a loud space!" The two taller Egyptians noticed that Malik's eyes showed true fear.

"I am still lost." Akefia stated bluntly.

"Look, in the gym where things echo and everyone was quite talking loudly, it is fine to wake him up! But he…he may lash out in a quieter space. You know, like a hunter sneaking up on a lion when its sleeping, but when there is a jeep going by it ignores it."

"Or like sneaking up on an Elder Dragon in Skyrim when you just started and you are only fucking level eighteen with a weak dagger and bow thinking 'OH I CAN DO THIS!' when I told him, NO YOU CANT! But did he listen? NO! He went and got himself killed three times before giving up!" Akefia hissed with an irritated glare.

"Bakura saved over your file and started a new one for himself, but gave up an hour in?" Marik inquired.

"I will never forgive the bastard." Akefia growled out.

"What are you even talking about?" Malik suddenly spoke up.

Akefia and Marik both looked at Malik with a black look. "A video game."

"That explains it. Look, I will try to wake up Bakura with help while the other will take care of Ryou. Besides I want to watch that…Or we could make Ryou wake up Bakura!" Malik exclaimed quickly with a devious smirk on his face. "All in favor of that idea say I."

"I!" Akefia and Marik said in unison.

"Wait, how should we determine who wakes up Ryou?" Akefia inquired as the group broke away from their huddle.

"Thumb wrestling, Rock-Paper-Scissors OR Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard-Spock (1)?" Marik suggested.

"Why don't we stick to thumb wrestling…" The two nodded and prepared for their duel.

Malik stepped to the side of them and held their fingers in place, acting as the referee. "OK you two; I want a good clean fight. No cursing, biting, nailing, kicking, crying, or bone breaking. All other fingers or outside weapons in this fight are prohibited, this is not jailhouse style. Ready?" The two nodded with a determination. "Wrestle!" Malik released the fingers and the fight began.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SQUIGGLES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Why did it have to be me who had to wake him up? Akefia sulked to himself as he approached the dragon's den. How am I even going to do this? Should I just shake him or do the flick and run? Maybe I could get a bottle of water and dump it on him…on second thought I really don't want to die today.

Akefia circled the desk before going for his first idea. He rested most of his body weight on one hand that was on the desk while the other reached out to wake the sleeping teen. He gave one shake before his wrist was grabbed and he found himself shoved to the ground with a light weight flung standing on his broad back. It took hold of Akefia's arms and started to pull his back up off the ground, effectively digging his jean clad knees into his back.

"Someone help me!" Akefia finally shrieked as he wrenched his arms away from the younger's hold and stood up, attempting to throw the teen off. This resulted in Ryou wrapping his legs around Akefia's waste and was now assaulting him with a mixture of attack consisting of hair pulling and a quick jabs with his elbows.

Malik and Marik just watched from the back of the class room in surprise and amusement as Ryou assaulted Akefia viciously. Internally, Malik was a little concerned about the reaction. He noticed Ryou twitching in discomfort in his sleep earlier but brushed it off as nothing. But this made him even more concerned for his little brother in what he was dreaming, but hid it very well from the teen next to him.

Malik looked over to Marik who was looking back at him. "Do you want to help him or let him suffer a little longer?"

Marik rubbed his chin in thought. "Seeing him in this trouble is tempting to let it continue on."

"Guys, come on! Ouch! Would you PLEASE stop pulling my hair!?" Akefia attempted to grab the boy on his back, but Ryou hid in the small of his back where Akefia could not reach him even if he tried.

"I think we should help him. I don't think Bakura will be happy if Akefia suddenly went bald." Marik suggested as he approached Akefia who had taken to spinning recklessly trying to fling the monkey teen off. In one smooth motion, Marik latched on to Ryou's back and pulled him off as fast as he could. Before Ryou could turn his attack on him, Marik dropped him and ran to the other side of the room.

Ryou gave an irritated glance to Marik before turning to Akefia. "Why were you trying to wake me up?"

"Malik told me to!" Akefia shouted point to Malik.

"Do not blame this on me!" Malik hissed.

"Besides first bell is going to start soon anyway in which you need to be along the living for."

"I would have woken up when the bell rung." Ryou said irritably.

"Yeah well, we…we..." Akefia tried to find an excuse to get Ryou to wake up Bakura. "We also needed your help! Bakura is also a terrible being to wake up and we were wondering if you had any ideas or by change you could do it for us, you know one grumpy hippopotamus to another?"

Ryou looked down and began to think. Akefia glanced at Malik who was giving him a questioning look. Akefia merely shrugged in response as a way of saying 'I don't even know.' Ryou snapped his fingers. "That's it!" He stood up to retrieve his thin framed glasses from Malik and walked over to Akefia's backpack. He swiftly pulled out his I-pod while slipping on said frames and searched for a song.

A grin soon spread across his lips when he found the perfect selection and proceeded to walk over to Bakura. He looked at the song playing now and waited for the music to slowly come to an end. He unplugged Bakura's I-pod and replaced it with Akefia's and pressed play. Ryou ran back to his brother, dragging Akefia along with him.

"What did you do?" Malik asked.

"Went onto Akefia's phone and found an annoying, catchy pop song."

"How were you able to figure out my password?!" Akefia exclaimed.

"Akefia, the password one, three, nine, and seven is not uncommon. Any guesses on the song choice Akefia?"

Akefia paused and tried to read Ryou's face for any hints, before delving into his archive of his mind. Suddenly, something clicked in his cranium and groaned. "Oh god, don't tell me you chose that Jonas Brother's song." Akefia slapped his palm to his forehead with another groan when he saw Ryou's evil grin. "I swear to every deity there is, Egyptian, Christian, and even Mormon for hells sake, that I did not willingly put that on my phone."

"Pot and Kettle Akefia, Pot and Kettle. (2)" Ryou taunted.

Bakura then jumped out of his desk, tearing his earphones out and backing away from the desk quickly. "KILL IT WITH FIRE!" he spoke widely, point a shaking figure at the offending music player.

Ryou took this chance to run to Bakura's desk and pull out the earphone jack and placing it in Bakura's backpack. He then turned up the phone's volume to max capacity and began to approach Bakura. Said teen placed his hands over his ears and began to approach Ryou. All of the other students in the room stopped what they were doing to stare at the scene taking place.

Suddenly, his pale hand wretched itself from his ear and snatched the foreign music player immediately muting the sound. He threw the phone sharply at Akefia, who barely had enough time to catch it. In a swift motion Bakura grabbed Ryou by the collar and shoved him up against a wall. "You think that was funny?"

"Highly, do you think that was Satan's favorite song?" Ryou retorted.

"Just because I am tired don't think I won't hit you!"

"You would not hit a guy with glasses right?"

"Those are not even real are they!?"

"I would not be wearing them unless I needed them. They are not fake you dunce."

"Look, enough with your bullshit. I am too fucking tired to deal with it. So if you want me to beat you to a blood pulp and fuck you so hard you won't walk for a week then keep going, please I insist!" Bakura hissed out quietly in rage. Malik, Ryou, Akefia, and Marik were the only ones close enough to hear this threat. To the surprise of the three bystanders, Ryou was not fazed by this in the least.

"And would you like to go to prison for not only physical, but sexual assault as well? I have plenty witnesses here who, when under oath, would more than gladly tell the truth on the stand. So choose you next action wisely Bakura, please I insist!" Ryou shot back just as softly.

Bakura just growled and held Ryou against the wall for a long time before dropping him and walking out of the room just as the bell rang.

Ryou looked around and noticed that his brother was being held back by Marik who wore a nervous expression. Akefia walked up to Ryou scratching the back of his head with an apologetic look to his face. "I know it won't mean much coming from me, but I am sorry about Bakura. He's just tired because his family is in from out of town, and not everyone is on good terms with the other. He would not really go through with his threats is what I am trying to say."

"I had a feeling. It seems like if he was fully awake and truly pissed, he would go through with it. But when he is truly tired, he is a Pomeranian, all bark and no bite." Ryou deadpanned before he grabbed his back pack. "Tell him sorry about the music, but I needed a good laugh to wake me up for the day." With that Ryou left the room for his next class, Marik following his lead, not wanting to be late for his next bell.

Akefia sighed, grabbing his own book bag and went to follow Bakura.

Malik contemplated on following Marik to class or going to find Bakura as well. Sighing, he walked out of the room and wondered the halls. Finally he saw a flash of tan skin with white hair and called out, "Akefia!"

Said man turned and walked towards the voice that called his name. "What is It Malik?"

"Can I talk to Bakura first when we find him?"

"He is my partner, why should you be the first to talk to him?" Akefia spoke with slight malice in his voice.

Malik sighed and rubbed his temples. "Yes I know that, but he is also my best friend and this situation is in regards to my brother. You don't have to go back to class but can I just talk to him alone?"

Akefia contemplated this for a few moments before responding, "Fine, but I cannot guarantee I will not be listening in." Malik smiled at this before turning and walking down the almost deserted hallway.

"Thanks Akefia. Come on, I know where he is hiding."

"Is he outside or inside?"

"Actually, he would be above." Malik walked towards the flights of stairs and began to ascend with Akefia in tow. When they reached the second floor of the three story school building, Malik navigated through the halls towards what appeared to be a secluded outside balcony covered in plants. It ran about the size of three full classrooms. This location was an idea created last year that the students should have a quiet place to relax during lunch and free bells. During that time, it was monitored by teachers or faculty to make sure it stays quiet. It also gave the garden club a yearly task at school as well as their weekly trash clean up around the school.

Malik knew that this was where Bakura would be because during classes it was quiet and secluded. "I will be back soon." Malik stated before walking through the glass door. Akefia merely sighed before sitting on the school floor, leaning against some of the many lockers.

Malik found Bakura right where he expected him to be, leaning against the railing next to the lilies. It may not be apparent to the other students, but Bakura really enjoyed nature. It was the simplicity of the plants that calm him down. He was sitting near the lilies for they reminded him of a friend he once knew in his childhood. Bakura never told him much about the kid, only that he has not seen him in years.

"Hey gloomy bum! I see you are ditching class again, as usual." Malik greeted as he sat down next to his white haired friend.

"I see you are imposing on a peaceful space with your meaningless babbling." Bakura grunted in annoyance.

"Well you don't have to be rude."

"Malik, why are you here?"

"To confess my undying love to you, marry me?" Malik said sarcastically before sighing. "Look, I just wanted to see if you are ok honestly."

"I am fine. I just really did not want to be woken up that way and you know I am a terrible person to wake up properly. I mean, who would want to wake up to the Jonas Brothers?"

"Apparently Akefia would just love to hear them when he wakes up. It was his I-pod Ryou used anyway."

"That phone is going to die by fire. Anyway, you know my reasons, why are you still here bothering me?" Bakura inquired.

"I am still here to tell you that you still have to apologize to Ryou, what you did was not cool." Malik stated. This caused an indignant look to appear upon Bakura's face and looked away.

"I do not want to."

"You are going to though."

"I never said I would not because I know I was in the wrong. I have no necessary reason to threaten him. I just said I don't want to." Bakura stated with a smirk.

"I am, for once, very proud of you Bakura, and a little scared." Malik stated with a shiver. He swiftly grasped the pale man's shoulders and shook him, "WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH 'KURA!" Said man's response to this man was to shove the tan teen off of him.

"Do you have anything else you need to tell me?"

"Hmm." Malik thought for a moment before snapping and looking back and Bakura once more. "Yeah, Akefia was supposed to tell you, but Ryou apologized for the music choice something about needing a laugh." Malik then stood up and strode away from Bakura and back into the school. "He is all yours Akefia." Malik stated when he strode past the white haired Egyptian.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SQUIGGLES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the day passed, Ryou soon found himself munching on cherry Danish as he waited for new class, musical expression, to begin. He grabbed his lunch from Mrs. Schnider with a smile before eating outside and quickly making his way to the class room twenty minutes before class began. Ryou had seated himself towards the back of the room with his hood on his head, observing those who entered and socialized. He discovered that Mr. Hacker, a student counselor, was the teacher in charge. It would make sense that a councilor would head this class considering that many of the students around him were from many different spectrums of personality. Towards the right side of the class room, seats were occupied by Goths, nerds, and jocks. The left side of the room contained the cheerleaders, delinquents, and loners.

Many of these who are among the social rejects and popularity monarchy did not have quite the personality as it would seem during classes with friends. They all dropped the facades of their stereo types for one class where they could truly be free. Some the Jocks and Goths were playing a game of Egyptian Rats Screw, while everyone else was patiently helping each other work on homework, no taunting or bullying was even attempted. On the other side of the room, a handful of cheerleaders, loners, and delinquent girls were painting each other's nails while everyone else shared their music interests or talked causally with each other. Ryou suspected they were good friends, only that they did not socialize too much during the day. 'Such a shame,' Ryou thought to himself with a sigh. And Malik lied! This class is anything but a group of relentlessly angry adolescents. I think he was speaking on behalf of rumors.

Ryou noticed among the groups towards the middle of the room was Akefia and Bakura taking part in the game of Egyptian Rats Screw. He could see them laughing and having fun with everyone else. He had not spoken to either of his fellow white headed acquaintance that day after the incident during Form nor did he want to talk to them really. He had no idea of what to say after something like that occurred.

As Ryou continued to muse, one of the cheerleaders came over to him with a genuine smile on her face. "Hi Ryou-kun, what are you doing over here alone?" Ryou looked up at the girl with a blank look before replying with a small smile of his own.

"Sorry, I just don't interact well with others sometimes."

The girl gave her a sympathetic look which made Ryou wince on the inside. He was not intending on getting sympathy from anyone, just speaking the truth. "Well, why don't you join us? You don't have to speak, but at least join us. Please."

Ryou nodded and stood up to follow the girl back. She smiled with glee and led him to the group that we painting each other's nails. Some nodded to him while others vocalized their greeting which he responded with a nod of his own. The cheerleader who brought him over asked if it would be ok if she painted his nails, saying something about needing to practice painting people's nails. Ryou was a little hesitant but agreed as long as if was not any bright colors. Once again, the girl smiled with glee and sat him down in a nearby chair. Ryou looked around the room again as she set to work of cutting and filing his nailed before applying the nail polish. He did not fail to notice that some students, including Bakura, watched as he walked over to his new seat. He quickly went back to his game after being told it was his turn. After eight minutes of patiently sitting, the cheerleader in front of him declared that his nails just needed to dry now that they were finished being painted.

Looking down, Ryou noticed that what used to be a pale hard shell covering the top of his finger, was a glossy black coating with two vertical stripes on each nail crossed with one white stripe crossing over it horizontally. Ryou smiled softly and thanked the girl.

No more than ten more minutes later the bell rang just as Mr. Hacker walked quickly into the room, sipping a coffee. He was dressed in a button up white shirt and black dress pants along with brown dress shoes. One side of his shirt was tucked in while the other hangs lose to the side. Ryou noticed that the man's brown hair was combed towards the back of the head, but its disarray of hair was betraying the attempt it made to be neat. Upon his face were thin rectangle shaped frames. "Welcome class to yet another glorious day of the ill properly named elective of anger management class as named by the many foolish students of this fine establishment!" the teacher spoke energetically, seeming as is the coffee provided him too much energy. "I hope you all finished you assignment of choosing your song of the week and response as we have for every other school day that we have met." Mr. Hacker smiled at his students before noticing that there were three heads of white instead of two. He immediately turned to Ryou with a questioning look. "You sir! What are you doing in this class room?"

Ryou stared at the man for a few moments, surprised with his sudden question. "Mr. Hacker, I just switched into the class today from wood shop. Did the principal not tell you?"

Mr. Hacker stared at the teen for a few moments before something seemed to click in his mind. "Oh that is right! I remember now! Well Ryou, welcome to my class and before you ask, no this is not an anger management class, we merely let the student body think that." Ryou gave him a look of confusing before he continued. "We were goofing off one day and decided to watch a lovely movie called Nightmare before Christmas.Well, let's just say a rather loud argument broke out that lasted for a couple days on which Tim Berton clay-mation was better; Corpse Bride or Nightmare Before Christmas. But now it's a running joke of ours to speak loudly and aggressively when there are students passing by. Do you understand and not tell a living soul about this lie we have created?"

Ryou made a small chuckle before nodding.

"Good, now Ryou if you could please come up to the front of the classroom." Ryou complied and stood up from his seat. He strode to towards Mr. Hacker only for him to grab him by the shoulders and sharply turn him to facing the entire class. Before Ryou could question, he felt himself being jerked in many different directions as the teacher spoke swiftly, "Alright Ryou, the exits are the way you came in or at the windows. That door next to the chalk board is an anger release room. Although it undermines the name we are give, it is necessary if we just need to let off steam in my opinion. We all can get sick of each other at some point. The instruments are up here in the front, in the back of the room, or in the storage room. Come up to my desk if you have any questions and be expected to participate and play one of the many instruments in class, you can play correct?" Ryou gave the teacher a dizzy nod as the other students laughed. "EXCELLENT, so can everyone else in this class. No offence to you some of you, but some are better musicians than others. Now Ryou, by the end of class I want you to come back up to the front of the room and tell us the title of a song that represents you the most, physically or mentally. Then after playing through it once, tell us why it represents you. When selected, come up to the front of the room and write the title and artist or group in case other students having the urge to search for it later." Ryou nodded once again and walked back to his seat after he was able to shake off the dizziness.

Ryou could feel the class' hard gaze on him yet again when he strode back to his seat. He felt uncomfortable, but refused to show it. The rest of class went by in a breeze. They all talked casually about their favorite types of music artists send subtle or obvious messages and how we read those messages. It was a calm class for the most part, but Ryou remained silent, pondering each topic that came up. "Alright class, I am assigning a new project in class. You are to get into groups of two, three, or four." Mr. Hacker spoke as if his speech was on a faster pace than everyone else. The cups of coffee did not help his case either. "Our topic for this project is free range, meaning the group leader can pick any song, group members, and you have the rest of the week to practice your song and perform it in front of the class the following Wednesday. You will be graded on how much you practiced playing and time you put in. I will require a video as proof that you at least practiced once or I have to witnesses it myself before it crashes and burns if you did only practice once. This will be on school grounds of course. I am not going to your possible filthy garages or basements to watch you play in the dark.

"I encourage creativity to be expressed and true emotion to be shown. Now in the case of Ryou and all of you, who have a dreadfully poor memory, cough Stephen cough. Sorry something caught in my throat or I am coming down with a cold. "Mr. Hacker grinned at the class at his 'slip up.' "I have written up the list of all of the instruments in the room to be used. Each of you come up and write your name under the instrument you play, sit back down and then group leaders I shall assign at random will come up and choose your groups there will be two groups of two, four groups of three, and three groups of four. Everyone understand and those who don't find someone who does. Now why don't we get started, first row come up and write your name." Mr. Hacker began to quickly write all of the names of instruments and their quantity onto the board in a messy scrawl.

Ryou noticed that there was a large array of instruments on the board to choose from, some he knew how to play very well others he never touched in his life. When it was his turn to write on the board, he placed him name under electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and the ukulele. He sat back down and watched students now being called up to the board as project leaders to and started to choose groups. A lean boy stood up and walked up to the board. His hair was it was brown with bright green highlights, cut short in the back with his unruly hair on top combed forward. He wore black skinny jeans with many chains hanging off his hips. He wore a black leather jacket with the upper shoulders a bright red with a plane red shirt underneath. His mouth was set in a concentrated frown. His face was pierced with snake bites and one eyebrow piercing. His brown eyes were accented with thin black eye liner. His feat were clad in black boots much similar Yugi's, the nice boy with multicolored hair from gym class.

Suddenly the boy called out three names, "Smith; bass guitar, Wheeler; drums, and Ryou electric guitar." Then the unnamed boy walked back to his seat in the front row, who resumed to sitting quietly.

"Thank you Hunter. Then that leaves Akefia, Bakura, and Yugi in the last group. I will let begin working tomorrow so you will have a full week to practice minus one day since you won't get the performance day at all. Don't like it? Too bad, so sad." Mr. Hacker cheekily grinned towards his class. "Also, you are not allowed to meet after school to practice, and if you do, I will find out and you will be given a zero on the assignment as well as a detention. Feel the pressure, do well, and I shall see you tomorrow. But before the bell rings in about six minutes, RYOU!" Said boy jumped and stared at the teacher.

"Yes, captain!? I-I mean Sir!" Ryou stuttered.

"Get up here, use the internet, to find your song, plug in the speakers, turn up the volume until it makes out eardrums bleed and press play! I am curious to see your choice!"

Ryou soon found himself slipping on his glasses so he could see better at the front of the room. He used the teacher's computer to search on YouTube for his chosen song. Smiling at his discovery, he selected the link to the song but quickly pressed pause. He turned to the board and wrote 'Semi-Automatic by: Twenty-One-Pilots.(3)' He then pressed play and a techno like beat soon filled the room.

The song soon came to an end and Ryou closed the computer before turning to the class. "I chose this song because it perfectly describes me through the lyrics. I love yet hate myself that I am double sided. I do enjoy it when I make people cry, but under the right circumstances, I don't deny it. And I am twisted up inside, Don't try to enter my mind, you will get quite lost and may never return."

The bell chose then to shriek throughout the school, signaling the end of the day. Ryou just merely grabbed his book back, and strode out of the room, tossing a wave into the air to those who bid him fare well as he made his way to Fanime club with a smirk on his face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SQUIGGLES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. IT is a thing! Look it up! I would explain it but Its easier if you look it up.

2. It is an awesome phrase. I like it, but I am not sure if I used it correctly.

3. OK, Just to let you know

a. THIS IS NOT A SONG-FIC. It just contains a music class that will both play a key point in my plot. I may put in lyrics if it is necessary towards what I am writing, but other than that, I will just put in the title.

b. If you want to look up the song, I will leave a link in my Bio page, but if you look it up, type out "Twenty One Pilots," do not put the numbers, you won't find a good source of their music that way.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING! PLEASE REVIEW and yes, if you so see it that my story is deserving of it, you may flame me. THANK YOU ALL AND MAY GLUTEN FREE COOKIES (you never know!) OR THE ORIGINAL APPEAR BEFORE YOU AND LET THEM BE DELICHIOUS!