Shnikies, sweeties, I'm so so so sorry it's been so long! 24 fucking reviews! Passssha! Awesome! All the space the replying is going to take up will make the chapter look extremely short...Dammit! No Chan again in this chapter. Sad:o

KagomeGirl021: -points excitedly- new reviewer! -tackles-Yes it's very kawaiii, isn't it? (Baku: I'm getting sappy! Noooo!) "i wonder what ryou would say if he saw them kissing or something." What indeed! (Ryou: Lemme at 'im! I'm going to kill that...!) -sweatdrop-

Kit-Cat Caitlin: Ah the joy of stalkers. I recently had some creepy dude follow me home in his car. I got to call the cops and everythin'. Twas very dramatic, no? "loved the 'hot ass' part" -grins- Who wouldn't love it? (Baku: Well I certainly didn't!)

shadowroamer: "since you don't get tired of hearing it I Love It!" XD Yay! -tackleglomps- "And everyone needs a vacation every now and then" Amen to that! (esp. ferris! lol)

HieiWannabe: "I didn't like that you had Yugi dump Bakura like that. I know he's confused, but it just didn't sound very IC." -nods- I understand where you're coming from and I appreciate that you're not afraid to criticize. -huggles- I knew that part would be a bit of a gamble but decided that perhaps Yugi has changed quite a bit (I mean, the kid's hot now, who'da thunk? xp) (Yugi: I resent that!) Glad you liked Kura and Mai's adventure in the mall. "Having Mai think 'all blue eyes, blonde hair, and massive bust' about someone else was sheer genius." -smirks- I couldn't resist writing it.

Soki-Chan the Great: "Huzzahs for Ferris!" Ja! Huzzah! Huzzah! -does little dance- "Loved the pants scene by the way, Mai is so dirty though! Of course I'd have to agree with her on that one." -grins devillishly- Don't we all? (Malik: Actually: NO.) -.-;

Chaos Raider Tenshi: -grins- I have to start off by saying: I love your name. Secondly: new reviewer! -tackles- "I must agree with Mai, Bakura DOES have one hot ass" I know. Who'd of thunk we'd agree with Mai so much? (baku: -grumbles-) The Yami/Marik thing? Ja! I decided to take it for a test drive in this fic and see how it worked out. "pictures Bakura in Mai's cloths- BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA -" -bursts out laughing- that's one image that I won't be forgetting anytime soon!

Spryte: "Well... if Yami's willing to forgive Malik and Marik, (and Kaiba, kinda) why not Bakura?" -shrugs- Oh he would...if it could be proven our devious little white haired devil truly has changed. (Kura: Die pharaoh! Diiiiie!) (Yugi: Y'know, baku, you're not making this easy...)

tinkle-time-kelly: -bows humbly- Glad you're still enjoying it so much. I sincerely apologize for the long wait!

Rogue1979: "I liked Mai's approach to things. She's a great gal, but a hardass! Bakura doesn't know what's hit him!" -grins- Oh indeed not! Though I think she's going to do him a Lot of good. (Baku: She's going to do me? Noooo! Don't dirty me!) -.- that's not what I said adn you know it. (Baku: -grins sheepishly-)

darkmistressofyaoi: "It's hilarious the way Mai treats Bakura." Not only that. It's funny the way he give in! "Aw, poor Yugi! He's oh so depressed! But I think a little dose of white-haired-brown-eyed yami could cheer him up" (Baku: -narrows eyes- she's talking about me, isn't she?) -rolls eyes- Go figure.

koinu27: " Poor Bakura, its not his fault he has a hot ass!" -smirks wryly- Oh the curses he's forced to endure. (Baku: Was that sarcasm?) Maybe...

cgflower: "do you drink tea?" -scowls- No. No tea for ferris. It smells good but tastes horrid. (Yami; My my, we're quite opinionated, aren't we?) Hey, I'm just answering the question!...

xxxJennxxx: There's my Jennie poodle! -tackleglomps- "Does that mean that we'll here from Marik and Malik again then?!" -laughs- Yes they're both in this chapter. Malik's quite adorable. (Malik: And when am I not?)

zenyel: "Poor, poor Bakura! but Mai is here to protect him! (when she's not the one endangering him, that is...)" -smirks- Yes, there's always that. Yes it is good Yugi's feeling remorse for leaving our hot bishi alone. "he may avoid being pummeled to death by Mai when he comes back!" -smiles- Maybe...

Under Finger and Thumb: "-You know because of you I dreamnt about orange tic-tacs" -grins- What can I say? I'm very influential in peoples' lives. (Baku: No wonder the world's in such a mess) "That is what I am waiting for... Yami to spazz.. and for Malik to enter!" Malik's in this chapter. And furthermore: no one is going to die in this fic. (Malik: Yeah. Like I'll believe anything YOU say!) -sigh-

Joey-lover: "watch, now i'm gonna end up watchin yugioh and lookin for bakura's ass lol." Already done it. (Baku: -blushing madly- Hey! Stop violating me with your eyes!) "what if the others get back before mai and bakura...yugi...oh boy XX" -grins- Which would make it all the more dramatic, so of course: they do get back before the duo. (Baku: You hate me, don't you?)

TheGodFish: "I felt so bad for Kura once he left... then even more when Mai showed up XD" Yeah. Gotta feel a bit bad for him, eh? Although overall she's going to be good for him. Trust me. (Yami: Yeah, like that's stable.) feh!

dragonlady222: "I hope no one tells Jou what they are thinking about Yugi and Mai." -grins wickedly- Yes, that would complicate things just a tad, wouldn't it? (Yami: And it probably doesn't help the situation that you're a Major angst fiend) Indubitably.

Silver Mirror: Yeah, life's been busybusybusy for ferris lately. Sorry the update took so long! (I have a very good reason!)

DayDreamer23182: "I liked the part with Mai and Bakura. Although I feel bad for him a little" -grins- Awww. But he's so adorable when he's uneasy and pissed! (Mai: And hot! Don't forget hot!) -winks- Oh I haven't! (Baku: All of you leave me alone!)

kara mcpherson: "Was confused about the thing that freaked out Yugi." Ja. Visions can be confuzzling things. (Baku: I think she meant the way you wrote it was confusing) Oh...hmm...well...Sorry? (Baku: -.-;)

queen of golden sands: "I think Mai has a thing for 'Kura, twitch she better back off! 'Kura is Yugi's!" -laughs- Don't worry, honey. Mai has her eyes on someone else. But I mean, come on! Who wouldn't notice our Kura-bear! (Bakura: -grumbles-) And yes, Marik and Malik are in this chapter.

Kanashimi no Tenshi: " Creepy thing with YamixMarik ( love it though )" -grins- Yeah. I decided to try something different...speaking of which...-glances around nervously- I've got an announcement at the end of the chappie about why I haven't been working on this story much...(I'm going to be the death of myself, I swear!)

I shall dedicate this chapter to KagomeGirl021 and Chaos Raider Tenshi! Yayness! (This poem was written by a fellow student at my old high school. I will not reveal his name for all to see though.) Onward!

I'm afraid and uncertain

But I can't turn back from here

Moving towards the darkness

Though I'm paralyzed with fear

The mystery of what's beyond

Sends shivers down my spine

I'm hoping and I'm looking

For things I may not find

I regret the things behind me

And I fear the things to come

I can't escape all that surrounds me

And it's too late now to run

I don't know what I'm doing

Where I'll go or what I'll do

I don't know who I'll see again

Or if I'll remember you

I don't know how to go there

Or how I got this far

I don't know when I got so old

Or when things got so hard

I draw a breath and take a step

I'm leaving where I'm from

I'm stepping out, I'm moving on

Terrified of what may come.

Chapter 10: Facing Fears

(Bakura's POV)

"So how was today for you?" Mai asks from across the booth as we sit in the fairly expensive restaurant.

I look up from my gourmet food. "Well...it beat sitting in Yugi's room again."

She laughs. "Nice to know. And for the millionth time: I'm sorry about that slut at the clothing store."

I groan, rolling my eyes. "Don't remind me. Of course, it wouldn't have happened in the first place if you hadn't been so intent on showing off my ass."

"If you've got it flaunt it, hon," she winks, snickering again when I glower. "Oh come on. It wasn't so bad. So she wasn't your type..."

"That's an understatement," I grumble shoveling another mouthful of food in.

"So what is your type?"

I choke, coughing a few times as she watches me curiously. The question's caught me completely off guard. Suddenly the food on my plate is very interesting. Her violet eyes burn into my forehead as the silence continues. Mai—being the bitch that she is—quickly becomes frustrated.

"Well let's start with this: what was wrong with the slut today?"

I quirk an eyebrow. "She was a slut." Why ask when the answer's already been stated in the question?

"Besides that. What was it? Wrong looks? Wrong personality?..."

"Wrong gender," I mutter under my breath, immediately snapping my mouth shut. Good Ra, did I just say that out loud? I glance at her white face and wide eyes. Ahhh shit.

The girl quickly recovers from her shock, smirking while leaning forward. "Ohhh. Now that makes more sense. I know for a fact that Otogi, Jou, and Honda would have all jumped at the chance to have that whore even look at them."

"Please don't compare me to them," I frown. "Those three are run by nothing but hot-headedness and hormones."

She snorts while attempting to take a sip of her drink. "So true! They really aren't bursting with intelligence."

"And yet the blonde and you are infatuated with one another."

"What gave you that impression?" she asks airily but doesn't deny anything.

I sit back folding my arms over my chest. "It's fairly obvious."

"Really?"

I nod simply. "The looks you send one another when you think the other isn't watching...the brawls and such about trivial things..."

"All right I get the picture," she snaps, face flushed. I smirk, knowing I've hit a nerve. My victory is short-lived as Mai suddenly becomes interested again. "Wait wait wait...how would you know? I've only seen you once during the Battle City Finals. You and Yami were dueling. There's no way you could have..."

"Like I said," I grin devilishly. "The two of you make it quite obvious. It doesn't take a scholar to figure out what's going on."

She sends me an 'all right, shut the hell up already' type of look. I smirk, returning my attention to my dinner. It's some Italian cuisine. Tons of noodles and white sauces and...I dunno. Never have seen anything like it. But damn it's tasty; which is surprising considering there's no blood or raw meat in it.

"So who's your crush?"

I look up in puzzlement to find her studying me intently. "Mmff?" I grunt, mouth currently full of the delish chow.

She gives me a disgusted look but continues her probing. "I asked who you have a crush on. You know about mine. I don't see what the problem is in telling me who yours is."

I swallow, running my tongue along my lips to rid them of the sauce occupied there. "I don't have one."

"Yeah right. What about in the past?"

I shrug taking another sip of my drink, hands shaking slightly. "None then either."

Violet eyes narrow. "I don't believe you."

"And I don't give a damn," I shoot back, getting perturbed by her prying; partly because she can basically taste these types of things. If I let her keep this up she'll find out...and I could never live that down.

"It's Yami, isn't it?"

The liquid shoots from my mouth like a jet across the table at her as these words reach my ears. I cough harshly. Mai meanwhile is looking with horror at her front which is now sopping wet. I cough once more, wiping the back of my hand across my mouth while simultaneously passing her my own cloth napkin as she attempts to clean herself up.

"Should I take that as a 'yes'?" she grumbles while mopping up the liquid.

"No," I scoff with abhorrence. "Ra, how could you even consider that?"

She sighs when it becomes apparent the stain won't be coming off without a thorough washing, tossing the napkins down on the table dejectedly. "Well I don't know. Perhaps the reason you two are enemies is because of some complicated love-spat..."

"Just stop talking," I mutter with revulsion as a shudder of disgust runs through me. I mean: me and the Pharaoh? Ugh! Eeeww! Yuck! Gross! Bleh!...hmm...I seem to have run out of words of repugnance to convey my utter loathing with.

"Well I'm certainly going to make sure there's nothing in your mouth next time I want to presume something out loud."

I look up to find a smirk on her face which surprises me after what I just did to her shirt—if you can call it a shirt. I manage a weak smile.

"Sorry."

She waves her hand dismissively. "It's fine. We just got all those new outfits today anyway." Violet eyes move to look out the large window nearby. It's dark outside now. The stars are veiled, misty shadows slipping across the sky. "We should be getting back to the mansion. The others are probably wondering where I am," she states softly, face suddenly glum.

I nod. Neither of us moves. I have to admit it to myself: this day was damn awesome. Despite being hit on by a slut and accused of being the Pharaoh's lover...I don't think I'll ever get over that one. We both stare out the window. Then simultaneously our eyes meet.

"Come on," Mai grins standing gracefully to her feet, managing to look elegant despite the stains covering her front. "I'll let you drive for a while." I nod enthusiastically, stuffing the remainder of my food into my mouth and scampering after her out of the restaurant to the convertible.

(Yugi's POV)

"Where on earth can she be?" Jou rants whilst pacing around the lounge where we're all gathered.

Bakura's gone. Mai must have taken him. But where? Where the devil would those two go? I can't imagine them getting along as it is. I sigh heavily, glancing at the large glass doors. It's dark outside now, the reflections from the lights in the room preventing us from seeing the outdoors.

"It's 11:30! What the hell is that girl doing?" Jou continues passionately.

Otogi grins, filing his fingernails while resting his feet on a nearby chair. "Perhaps it's a guy."

"Wat!"

"Or she's just shopping! She does love to shop!" Honda butts in quickly, casting a warning glare at the dice master.

I give them a weird look when they're both suddenly watching me with strange expressions on their faces. Otogi's lips are twitching as if he's fighting not to grin. Honda meanwhile is ghost-white, eyes wide as if he expects my head to fly off my shoulders any fly around the room at any given moment. When he catches my eye, Honda quickly averts his gaze. Otogi doesn't, merely allowing a knowing smirk to come forth. What the hell is wrong with them?

Yami clears his throat uncomfortably, no doubt sensing the duos bizarre behavior as well. "It's already late. We all know nothing infatuates that girl more than shopping. I wouldn't wait up for her. She'll be back by and by."

"That's right," Anzu nods confidently, though there's a drop of unease in her voice.

The others all nod automatically, scattered throughout the room stiffly. One would think someone had just died...and that one of us was the murderer. Something's going on here. Something they're not telling me. Glancing at each of them in turn I find I'm not the only one being left in the dark. Jou hasn't noticed their conduct, wandering from window to window, muttering to himself about where Mai could have gone to.

"Well I don't know about the rest of you, but I for one want to get some shut eye. That was one hell of a day," Honda states standing and stretching, overacting the movement.

Otogi rolls his emerald eyes but seems to have given in. "Yeah. At any rate, she'll be here within ten minutes as soon as she's finished shopping."

"How do you figure that?" Honda questions curiously as he, Yami, Anzu, and the dice master start off for the elevator.

"No matter how far away she is: that bitch drives like a maniac on speed," I hear Otogi mutter before the silver doors slide shut noiselessly. As they're about to touch a hand is thrust between the metal, preventing the doors from closing completely. A moment later Yami's head appears.

"Yugi? Jou? Aren't you two coming to bed?"

The blonde stubbornly shakes his head, slumping down on the white futon while folding his arms over his chest. "Nah. I think I'll sit up an' wait a while longer."

Yami smiles, a sad gloom in his eyes as they rest on Jou a moment. I fidget when violet orbs move to mine, giving me a meaningful look. What he knows—or thinks he knows—I haven't the foggiest idea. Troubled, I stare back, hesitant about whether to say anything or not. I cautiously probe for his thoughts but find his side of our link blocked off. This only heightens my anxieties through the roof till I'm wondering why no one else can see them.

"And you, hikari?"

"Ah forget it, Yami. You and I both know he's going to wait up for his...Ow!" Otogi howls as Honda stomps on his foot while my darker half says something inaudible given the vocal capacity of the dice master, hurriedly allowing the doors to glide shut.

I stare blankly at my refection in those two sliver slabs for a long while, mind swimming. A sudden thought comes to me, jerking a knife deep into my chest: Do they know about Bakura? Is that why they were all giving me those looks? Gulping down my fears, I turn to find Jou muttering under his breath about "spending too much time in malls" and the utter exasperation involving "girls and their clothes". I'm unable to keep the smile from my lips, walking over and sitting down next to one of my oldest friends. At least someone's still acting like themselves.

"Don't worry, Jou. I'm sure she's fine. Mai's...plucky. No one stands a chance once they've made her mad."

The blonde's face breaks into a wide grin as he snickers. "So true! She can be a real b-i-c-h, if you know what I mean," he adds with a wink.

I bite down on my lip to keep from laughing out loud at his masterful spelling abilities. It's never been one of his strengths. He sighs heavily, leaning back into the soft cushioning.

"S'just...well, don' tell the others or anything," Jou continues, this time in a solemn quiet voice. "But, well..." Again he pauses, this time directing his brown eyes at the stationary elevator doors as if expecting the others to pop out at any instant. "I care 'bout her," he admits softly, turning back to me. "More than a friend."

I roll my eyes. "No duh, Jou. We're all quite aware of this."

He gawks in shock. "W-wha...?"

I smirk giving him a pat on the shoulder. "You've made this all clear for some time now."

The surprise quickly transforms into dread. "I have? Why didn't you say anything? Oh Ra, that means she knows too!...even before I knew!" he all but wails piteously burying his face in his hands. "Oh gods, I'm so pathetic!"

"Hey now, let's not lose our heads over this," I chide while grasping him by the shoulders. "Jou, everything's going to be fine! She's fond of you; you know this as well as I. Do you really think you have that much to worry about?"

He looks up, eyes glassy. "I...I don't know."

I frown. "Come on! Have you heard or seen anything that would lead you to believe she's dating someone?"

Jou gives me a blank look. "Uhh..."

"Okay so maybe you wouldn't notice," I continue with an amount of sarcasm apparent. "But I know I would have, so I can tell you with certainty:" I look straight into his eyes while my fingers dig into his bony broad shoulders, "Jou, you don't have anything to worry about."

A tentative smile creeps its way onto his eager face. "Really? You think so?"

"I know so," I return with a reassuring nod. "Now why don't you go raid the master kitchen and go to bed? Because when we get up in the morning Mai will be here and you'll see that everything is fine."

He nods eagerly, standing swiftly as I let go of him. "Yer right! Geez, why'd I go an' let my doubts get to me? Thanks Yug man! You're a real pal, ya know?"

I shrug from where I'm still seated as he begins to prance off for the kitchen. "What are friends for?"

He gives me a "thumbs up" sign before disappearing down the hallway leaving me alone in the lounge. Everything is deathly silent. I exhale deeply, fingers clenched tightly as I hope beyond hope that everything truly will be well when the morning comes.

(Mai's POV)

"What was it like down there?" I ask quietly as the two of us sit on the hood of the convertible, staring out over the vacant parking lot at the beach and prevailing black ocean waters beyond it.

He didn't want to come here; threatened to send me to the Shadow Realm if we stopped at this point. I told him he needed to re-grow his spine. If someone can't even look at water without flinching then they're going to spend their entire life being afraid. It might sound harsh of me but this is something he needs to face and deal with. Once I convinced him of this we switched seats so I was the one driving. I don't think he could have steered us here, mind muddled by his apprehension. I think the reason he gave in is because he realizes it too, and he doesn't want to be weak and fragile. It's not who he is. The guy's a mass murderer with exceptional magic abilities...and he's cowering before water?

Bakura sighs shakily, arms wrapped around his knees that are drawn up tightly against his chest. Even at this great distance from the sea he's afraid. I pity and admire people like him who can hide their emotions; feign courage and confidence. Although he truly does possess terrifying powers and has a past to back it up. But I've never seen someone try so hard to fight their emotions, to bottle them all up and lock them away from the world.

"Dark..." his voice whispers hoarsely as brown eyes remain locked on the rhythmic waves. "Cold and empty."

"It must've been terrifying," I reply empathetically staring up at the stars patterned across the sky in ancient constellations, "to be all alone like that."

Pain is apparent in his voice and features when he speaks. "It wasn't that so much. I've been alone many times before. That's how it has relentlessly been. But it was always in a place where the ring would be found again, you know?...where I'd get another chance sooner or later..." The thief's fingers curl around the fabric of his jeans, the bones in his hands pronounced. "Last time...down there..." Bakura's voice cracks and he takes a deep shuddering breath before continuing in a softer, meeker quality. "Last time there weren't any certainties. No one was around. And no one was looking for me. There wasn't a person in this world who would've cared to even go through the trouble of searching for the ring even if they had known I was down there...not that I blame them." This last bit is stated with much bitterness and resentment.

My heartstrings tighten at the hurt in his voice and I fight the urge to hug the wretched creature beside me. "Well you have gotten another chance, haven't you? The best you can do now is change—become close to people for the sheer purpose of having someone there for you."

He nods but doesn't answer right away, expression still gloomy as he watches the waves roll in and out. "But what if it's too late? What if I've used up all my chances?"

I can see his frame trembling from where I sit. Aware the possible consequences, I shift closer to him and resolutely pull one of his hands from their death grip on his jeans and entwine my fingers with his. The thief jolts at this sudden contact, doubtful eyes meeting mine.

"You still have some. Trust me," I smile warmly, amazed at how easy this is. It isn't forced or acted. I'm actually speaking the truth without adding sarcasm to it.

A weak smile twitches at the corners of his mouth before Bakura turns his head again; fingers tightening with mine as we both sit side by side staring out at the calming night sea.

(Marik's POV)

I jump off the couch where I'm reading a magazine at the loud crash followed by shouting in a stream of very colorful ancient language. Casting my eyes heavenward, I toss my magazine down and rush for the kitchen where from where the uproar is emanating. Upon reaching the door I find my yami clutching a hand against his chest while bellowing curses at the silver toaster sitting on the counter.

"Malik, what's going on?" I exclaim hurrying over.

He turns, expression homicidal. "That thing stole my bread! Then when I tried to get it back it fucking burned me!" my yami screams while sending the offending machine a defiant look.

Whether I'm inclined to roll my eyes in exasperation or outright laugh, I must fight both of these urges. When throwing a tantrum or angry he's more like a child than anything else...a potent unstable child with Shadow magic, that is.

"Don't you remember what I taught you about the toaster? About this knob here?" I ask in a calm voice reaching over and flipping the switch so the perfectly golden bread pops up.

He gapes at the appliance for a long moment, left eye twitching. I sigh heavily, noting the way he's clasping his hand to his chest.

"Let me see the burn," I request moving towards him.

He shakes his head, eyes mistrustful as he backs away from me. Here we go: the drama. Due to Malik's nearly constant dangerous and often dim ideas he's gotten well acquainted with modern medicines and treatment; referring to ointment and other medicated creams as "that damn itchy shit".

"Malik, come on. If you don't lemme see it then it's going to get infected and then we'll have to soak day after day after day..."

"Fine!" he exclaims in annoyance but still hesitant when holding out his hand.

It's not so bad, the skin around his finger a light pink from when he stuck it into the toaster. "It's going to be fine. Let's put some ointment on it though," I add to which he moans in provocation. "Do you want it to only blister a little or would you like pus oozing out as well?"

"Fine fine!" my yami growls yanking his hand away from me and slumping down at the table grumpily. "Stupid fucking modern appliances..." he mutters angrily in ancient Egyptian.

I roll my eyes. "I'll go and get the ointment," I announce strolling out of the room for the bathroom of our apartment.

Once I reach it I thrust open the cupboard doors, scrounging around for the right cream. I swear to the gods, we own every type of healing medication for wounds available. Isis has gotten quite fed up with the whole ordeal but puts on a strong face. We're both just glad to have my yami on our side this time.

Rrrrrrng

"Malik!" I call, cursing under my breath as ten or so bottles tumble off the cupboard, scattering across the tile floor. "Malik, could you get the phone?"

Rrrrrrrng

'Who the hell am I fooling?' I immediately think wryly, leaving the mess and trooping to the small living room. "Hello?" I ask picking up the device.

"Marik! Gods it's so good to hear your voice!"

My heart leaps into my throat. "Yami! I...Wait just a moment!" Casting a nervous glance towards the kitchen I hurry back to the bathroom, closing the door behind me. "There. We can talk now. But it'll have to be fast. How are you?" I ask allowing a smile to make its way onto my face.

"Not bad. We're at Kaiba's mansion on the coast...the one I won for the summer."

"Sweet! How is it? I wish I could be there with you," I ask wistfully glancing at the medicine bottles littering the floor.

"Well, then why not come?"

I gawk at the device for a long moment. "But—but I can't! Malik..."

"Bring him along," my undisclosed koi replies so simply that I'm certain he's gone over the deep end.

"Have you lost your bloody mind?" I hiss into the phone, fingers tight around its plastic surface. "Yami, what about...what about us? If anyone finds out...!"

"Yes, what about us? Because we've been so secretive there hasn't been any 'us'," he replies firmly.

"B-but I'm not sure Malik's would be able to handle our relationship..." I stutter whilst glancing over at the door apprehensively.

"Then we won't tell anyone yet. But that doesn't mean we can't spend time together," Yami counters insistently yet infuriatingly reasonably. "Besides, the place is huge, so if Malik gets annoyed we won't have to worry about the others bothering him. And perhaps you and I could slip away once in a while..."

I bite down on my lip, fighting against this with my every whim even though I know I'm going to give in. It does sound fairly fool proof. And I haven't seen Yami in so long...

"You know just the right things to say, don't you?" I finally answer making sure to put aggravation in my tone, even though I'm positively dancing inside.

"Can I help it if I'm a sexy slick talker?" I can hear the cocky smirk in his voice and roll my eyes.

"Yeah yeah, don't flatter yourself, you narcissistic bastard."

"Ouch. And here I was be all charming and inviting you out here."

"Fine."

"Fine? Fine what?" he presses ardently.

"I'll come—erm, we'll come."

(Yugi's POV)

"Where the hell are they?" I growl under my breath, pacing my room in the dark.

It's three in the morning! What on earth are they doing? My stomach churns as a sudden possibility comes to me. No. It couldn't be. Bakura and Mai aren't...they wouldn't...My stomach's churning, bile rising in my throat at the images of those two together. It couldn't possibly be though! They barely know one another...come to think of it: last time they were in the same room they were screaming at each other. Did Bakura finally get sick of her and kidnap her? Send her to the Shadow Realm? The new tomb robber doesn't seem the type to do something like that, but what if this calmer, more lucid Bakura is just an act? Have I just been duped again by the yami? This doesn't seem very likely either to me.

I move to the bed, collapsing on my stomach and screaming my lungs empty into a pillow. What the hell is going on?

Just so no one goes and bursts a blood vessel: that scene with Mai and Bakura was Not meant to be romantic in any way, got it?

Bakura: Thank ra!

Mai: Just what is so horrible about me?

Bakura: -eyes suspiciously- This is one of those trick questions that will end with me getting beaten to a pulp, isn't it?

Mai: -grins smugly- 'He's learning fast'

Okay, you're all probably wondering why the hell Ferris doesn't update as often as she used to. First of all: my depression's lessening and I'm feeling more out-going. Hence: i don't sit in front of the computer as much as I used to. Secondly: I'm in college. Third: I'm sorta kinda maybe writing another fic...

Readers&characters: WHAT!!!!

-winces- Yeah...just a little bit...

Baku: Just how far are you in this thing?

Ferris: Oh not that far at all! I hardly work on it!

Baku: Ferris

Ferris: -hangs head ashamedly- Okay, so I'm on the seventh chapter...

Baku: And people say I have issues...

Yami: which you do.

Baku: .

Yugi: review!