Dear Single Reviewer SheepAteMyFanBoys: Thanks! I'm glad you like the story. Don't take my word for it that people in Japan will care if you have a fit, though. They only cared in the context of the fic because it's a Twelve Chairs reference.

Disclaimers: Are you ready? I don't own the English language, Chef Boyardee, Mac n Cheese, Cheerios, or Special K. If I owned Yu-Gi-Oh and its characters for any period of time, it would be brief, because I would soon return them to their rightful owner Mr. Takahashi.

Special k Special k Special k Special k Special k

I have been trying my best to use my sense of the English language as an advantage in this tale. I must say that I truly like this language and it disturbs me when it is ill-used. I often find on places like that people have a wide vocabulary, but no clue what the words mean. Such words end up in a long, run-on sentence with no meaning whatsoever. This reminds me of when I was in sixth grade, and I read someone else's story. I came across the phrase "he shook his head tediously." This caused me to shake my head, but certainly not tediously. Therefore I apologize profusely for any and all ill-used words you may find. Please yell at me until my ears bleed.

I have integrated several words or phrases in Japanese in this fanfiction. I didn't do this to show off my minimal knowledge of the language, or to "educate" the American masses. I simply put it there to get a sense for where the characters are (Japan, of course), and because of the way I think of stories. You see, I don't think in words, I think in animated scenes. I usually "hear" the characters' Japanese voices in my head, so sometimes it just doesn't seem right to write what they're saying in English. As for when I mentioned okonomiyaki, well, for one thing I had to turn around and ask my sister (known to you as MahaVailo) "What's a random Japanese food?" I just didn't want to say something like Chef Boyardee or Mac n Cheese, since I wanted the whole Japanese feel. I don't know why I didn't think of ramen earlier! This is all very ironic, considering I have the students talk like Californians and the next morning proceeds finding Ryou pouring a bowl of that ever-sinfully American Special K. I was going to write Cheerios, but come on. Ryou would so have Special K.

Special k Special k Special k Special k Special k

Sitting comfortably in a large chair in his living room, Ryou reflected on the events of the past few weeks. His teachers had not been so kind when he returned with no excuse for his absence. It seemed no one had forgotten whatever it was Ryou had done on the day he still couldn't remember. Whatever it was, though, the various teachers and students appeared to have concluded that Ryou was no longer any kind of threat. They no longer ran away from him, but they still treated him with a sort of secret derision. Several times, Ryou found himself close to tears.

Malik often accompanied him to school with a "visitor's" pass. He trailed Ryou through most classes, but sometimes disappeared suddenly. On these occasions, Ryou would be talking to him, then turn around—where did Malik go? Later Malik would join up with him again with no explanation. Ryou met more cold looks from other students on these days than any other. "He's his friend, isn't he?" "No, I heard roommate…"

The more time Ryou spent in the company of Malik, the more he realized he was hiding something, or several things. His speech sounded too often insincere, too often in false-kindness. And Ryou did not like the piercing looks Malik sometimes regarded him with, like he was yearning to reach into his mind…

"Bakura-kun?" Malik interrupted Ryou's long train of thoughts.

"Hm?" Ryou made the small noise to indicate he was listening. For some reason it made him feel better to be addressed by Malik. Malik appeared to be such a good person. Ryou wished he could believe he was imagining things, but he was by no means as naïve as that.

"Do you want to have a day out again?" Malik asked, cocking his head to the side. This act, for some reason, made the offer more enticing, but Ryou couldn't help feeling he was being snared into something.

"Actually, I have a lot on my mind. I was thinking I'd spend the weekend quietly…"

"I can be quiet," Malik interjected, "but…"

"Hm?" Ryou responded again.

"If there's something on your mind…"

"Well, it's more like something that's not on my mind. The day that I apparently made some deal with you is not in my memory," Ryou finally revealed what he had been pondering.

"Well if that's the case," Malik grinned, "then I can help you. I know a sort of way I can hypnotize you and bring back old memories."

Ryou gave Malik a worried look, clearly questioning the integrity of his guest.

"It's not like I'm going to hypnotize you and then make off with the furniture," Malik said, amused. Ryou still did not consent. "Oh, come on, you weenie!"

Special k Special k Special k Special k Special k

Ryou sat staring at Malik from a comfortable position in his chair. Malik was lighting a candle and muttering softly to himself. His eyes flickered with the erratic light of the fire, which danced crazily in the dim, warm room. Malik pulled a white surgeon mask over his face before lighting something that resembled incense. He turned to Ryou.

Ryou was meanwhile being entranced by the flame, whose fiery light seemed to be pulling him into a deep sleep…

Until he realized that the damn incense was a sleeping drug.

"It's easier to do this when one's asleep," Malik said quietly, leaning close to Ryou. Ryou finally submitted to the soft smell of the incense…

And was replaced by Bakura.

Bakura: Don't you have any sleeping pills, you bastard?

Malik jerked backwards, alarmed. He had the Millennium Rod close to Ryou, but held it protectively over his chest at the intrusion. Then he relaxed.

Malik: *smirk* I was expecting you, tomb robber. (A/N: Suuure you were).

He nodded to the still burning incense.

Bakura: Dammit.

Malik: More efficient than sleeping pills, I think. Or else it would have been just Ryou, wouldn't it?

Bakura tried to get up, but Malik pushed him back into the chair easily. Bakura looked sleepily up at his captor.

Malik: I have something to discuss with you. Your hikari side is not cooperating the way you implied he would at our first meeting.

Bakura: Heh heh…he seems to be less naïve than I once thought.

Malik: You may find this amusing, but I don't have the luxury of your position. I need your hikari to be compliant. You still owe me-

Bakura: My end of the deal? Well, truly, you still owe me your end of the bargain…which I've decided I could do without. You've become much too troublesome, grave keeper. I don't think I want any more part in our "deal."

Malik's eyes glowed a dangerous shade, as he unsheathed the hidden knife of his Millennium Rod and leaned very close to Bakura.

Malik: But what if, in failing to hold back the other side of my personality, I somehow…*he scraped the knife slowly up Bakura's neck* hurt you?

Bakura looked down at his own dripping, warm blood. He suddenly remembered why he agreed to the bargain in the first place.

Bakura: Then again, perhaps it would be in everyone's best interest if I were to comply…

Malik grinned and sheathed his knife. His powers of persuasion astounded even him.

Special k Special k Special k Special k Special k

Ryou woke up slowly, from a vague dream. He felt as though he were coming out of a thick, warm fog, much like one feels after stepping out of a warm and humid shower. Needless to say, he felt a little cold. (At least that's how it makes me feel afterwards. Brr). He felt as though he had lead limbs. "Oh dear…"

Malik came in and cheerfully handed Ryou some hot chocolate. It was seven in the morning. Ryou could feel a bandage around his neck. "Where did…? When…?"

"Oh, I artificially mutilated you for entertainment while you were asleep," Malik said brightly. Ryou decided he didn't wish to know more.

"Did you find out anything about that day?" Ryou asked, after indulging politely in his hot cocoa. It occurred to him a moment after doing so that Malik may have put something in the drink. Ryou convulsed momentarily.

"As a matter of fact I did," replied the Egyptian. The previous night when Bakura could no longer resist the drug, Malik had taken the opportunity for some "research." Some would call this foul. The author finds it convenient.

"I'll show you, in a manner of speaking, tonight. I don't think it would be healthy for you to have two deep trances in a row, not to mention during the day."

Ryou groaned. He would have to fall asleep again to find out what was going on, but the thought of Malik…

"Please no artificial mutilation tonight, Malik-kun," Ryou requested matter-of-factly.

"All you gotta do is ask," replied Malik with a smile. "Now let's go outside. You need to walk around today." He got up, gesturing to the cold winter morning outside. He looked over his shoulder at Ryou, "It's not healthy to sulk." He winked and strode to the door. Ryou could feel disaster hang on the air, impending.

"Coming." The two left with their coats into the open air, frost catching at their heels.