AN: I dedicate this chapter/story to my besties Jenifer, Hayley, Cortney, Lexi, and, most importantly, my sis. LOVE YOU ALL!!!! Each chapter has a song name, so if you get bored, look it up! I appreciate all comments that ARE NOT flames or meant to discourage. I love hearing your views if they are stated in a nice wayIf you don't like it, don't read it! Thanx ;D

At midnight the night before New Year's Eve, Yugi was asleep, a strange occurrence. He hardly ever slept. Though Yami had been gone for six years, it made no difference. Yugi's head was still too empty. He could hardly stand it.

He was lost in the world of his dreams, each one swirling around in his head. Picture after picture flashed in sequence, a carefully planned movie made by the director that was his subconscious. He was almost so overwhelmed by his thoughts to notice the laughter ringing in the back of his head. "Still dreaming about her, I see," a familiar voice mocked.

Yugi shot bolt upright in his bed, rubbing his eyes, "Atem?"

The voice laughed, "Have other spirits been lounging around in your head in my absence?"

"It really is you!" Yugi practically shouted, "We've all missed you! And my head has been so…so empty without you!"

"If you really missed me, where's my welcome home juice box?"

This time Yugi laughed, "It's great to have you back, Pharaoh."

"It's nice to be back, Yugi. Now, go back to sleep. You look like you need it." Yugi did as commanded and lay back in his bed, closing his eyes. Despite his excitement that his friend was back, he was exhausted. It didn't take him long to drift deeply back into his dreams.

Two hours later, he was awaked by the shrill sound of his phone ringing. His eyes still closed he reached over and brought it to his ear, "What?" he asked somewhat groggily.

"Yugi-Boy!" came the energetic voice on the other end.

He sighed, he should have known. "Pegasus, I'm sure it's bright and sunny on your island but here it's," he peeked at the clock, "two-o-clock in the morning. I hope this is important."

"Well, there are a couple of Kaiba's… well, I want to say minions, but that seems like the wrong word-"

"Nope. Minions is fine."

"-and they have a little business proposition. And, since you're the main share holder…"

"No."

"He said no , boys," He seemed to shout, "Goodbye."

"That all?" Yugi questioned.

"Seems like it."

"Goodbye."

"Goodnight!" He hung up the phone and settled back into his bed.

"Interesting conversation," Atem commented, chuckling slightly.

"Yeah. No stranger than normal."

"Well you'll have tomorrow to sleep-"

"Nope. We're going to Mai's New Year's eve party tomorrow night."

"The-"

"Na-uh. We're starting a new tournament the first." Yugi said tiredly, starting to drift to the edge of sleep.

"That's an interesting bit of information that would have been nice to know earlier,' Atem said, sounding slightly annoyed.

"I'm sorry," but at that moment Yugi was too far into sleep to care.

****

Seto Kaiba sat at his computer screen, typing up the last few things needed for the morning. Just a few more sentences and he'll be-

A dialog box popped up on the screen, declaring he had got an e-mail. He sighed and clicked the close button. But, instead of closing, it opened to:

Tournament of Hearts

You, Seto Kaiba, are here by invited to the dueling competition Tournament of Hearts. The grand prize winner will receive a cash prize of $1,000,000 and whatever his, or her, heart desires most.

Accept Decline

Kaiba snorted, no way. I don't need any money, he thought, and I can get whatever I want. But, as he pushed the decline button, the same screen popped up once more. Confused, he pushed it again. Nothing.

What the- he clicked and clicked and clicked and clicked, each time with the same result. "What are you doing, Seto?" his nineteen-year-old brother asked from the couch, pausing in his endless endeavor to find a worthwhile TV station.

"Working," Kaiba answered automatically, clicking the decline button once again.

"Yeah," Mokuba commented, "then what's with the clicking?"

Kaiba sighed, "Don't you have homework or something, Mokuba?"

"But our classes haven't resumed yet, so I have a few days."

"Have you even started yet?" He asked, clicking the button again.

"I've got about an eighth done!"

Kaiba turned to face his brother and cocked an eyebrow, "So they're teaching you math now? I was wondering when they would get to that."

"Ha ha. Real funny, Seto."

He shrugged, "I try."

Mokuba glanced past his brother at the computer screen, "What's that?"

Kaiba blinked, "What's what?"

"That!" He gestured at the screen.

"Oh, just some tournament," he replied, clicking 'decline' on a few more pop ups.

"And you're not gonna enter?"

"No."

"Why not?" Mokuba asked, completely ignoring the TV.

"Because," Kaiba explained, "it interrupted my work. Anything that interrupts my work isn't worth my time," He looked pointedly at his little brother who blinked in response.

"You're not gonna enter?"

"No," he said again and, once again clicked the button. Same results. This continued for several minutes before he got frustrated. When will these damn things end. He let out a growl of frustration and clicked the accept button. Instantly, the screen vanished. Mokuba chuckled. "Oh, go do your homework," Seto snapped.

Mokuba threw up his hands in response, offered an "Alright!" and headed for his room.

About an hour later, he turned off the computer and headed to his room. Mokuba's door was hanging wide open, so he looked inside. He was hanging limp on his bed halfway off the bed. Kaiba sighed and walked into his room, gently placing the other half of his little brother onto the bed. After years of doing this same task, it wasn't an easy habit to break. He was a lot easier to move back then, not to mention a lot easier to keep under control. He lay down in his bed and fell asleep, thinking about the upcoming tournament.

He woke up the next morning before his brother and made the first of the three pots of coffee they usually go through in the morning. His brother walked out his room, growling and grumbling, as Kaiba poured his first cup. "Good morning." Kaiba said sarcastically. His brother only grumbled in response.

He walked over to the computer and turned it on. Instantly, a dialog box announced his new e-mail. Sighing, he looked at the sender. Bronya Sahan. Didn't ring a bell. The e-mail popped open. There was only one line of text:

See you there. ;)

*****

Bronya Sahan sat in her chair, watching her game unfold. Seto Kaiba was an easy choice. He didn't care about much, but what he did care about, he would do anything for. It was a nice contrast to Yugi, who cares too much for everyone around him. The two of them in a face off for what they love most… The thought made her tingle in anticipation.

"Maybe I was wrong, Larry, " she said, pressing her face close to the glass to get a better look at her goldfish and stroking the glass affectionately, "maybe this will be more interesting than I thought.

She threw back her head and laughed.