Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Codenames:

Yami Atem: Onyx/Garnet

Seto Kaiba: Sapphire

Marik Ishtar: Citrine

Bakura Akefia: Emerald

Yugi Mutou: Diamond/Amethyst

Joey/Josephine Wheeler: Zircon

Malik Isis: Yellow Topaz(or just Topaz)

Ryou Bakura: Peridot

Warnings: Mentions/Has Blood, death, possessive tendencies, Jealousy, questionable language…

Hime-nee - Nee from Onee which means older sister and Hime which means princess, there is not really a direct translation for Hime-nee from what I gathered.

If someone told Yugi a year ago that she would be in a tug war between a seemingly dark entity and a child somewhere between the ages of twelve and eight, she'd only laugh right into their face before sending the offender their way. Preferably with a couple of bullets as well. As it was now, she was simply resigning to her fate. While the tugging wasn't literally it was quite obvious how Aurora Walker was clinging to her arm like a lifeline while Yami walked beside her, making sure that their shoulders brushed against each other, wearing a carefully neutral mask.

A very fake mask at that, for those who bothered to look.

The whole situation was ridiculous and it all started when she was formally introduced to the youngest Walker. The smaller girl had glomped Yugi at sight, tightly warping her arms around Yugi's waist before starting a very animated discussion much to her parents surprise.

A very one-sided discussion at that.

Her parents had been very worried about their daughter's sudden change of heart regarding strangers and were visibly relieved when their daughter showed a very obvious animosity towards Yami, much to Yugi's confusion.

Embarrassment seemed to become an everyday occurrence to the little diamond's horror.

It took closely 20 minutes for Mr. and Mrs. Walker to pry off their daughter from the shorter teen, and that was only after the older Walkers promised that Yugi would keep her company during the Midnight Ball or 'the boring party' as Aurora called it.

As said earlier, the smaller girl did not like Yami. Not at all. She insisted that he was the villain that would try to kidnap her "Hime-nee". (AN/: *cough*chapter3*cough*)

Yami the gentleman that he was, did not deny it much to Yugi's exacerbation.

So it was with a thinning patience and a tired mind that Yugi walked down the over decorated halls together with Aurora and Yami. If Yugi wasn't underage she'd probably drink her distress away the moment she came home, not that she'd even considered that for real with her friends in the house.

Yami would probably not like it either.

"Ne, ne! Hime-nee, what is your favorite color?" Aurora asked, clinging even more to Yugi's arm.

Yami's right eye twitched for a second.

"Purple." Yugi answered not even bothering to try and make her answer more interesting.

"Really? My favourite is pink but I don't think that purple is that terrible of a color either." She trailed off.

"I think I have lots of purple dresses that I always get from granny!" She exclaimed joyously, looking up at Yugi with large sparkling blue eyes.

A shiver went down Yugi's spine.

'Dear god, please don't tell me-'

"I think some of the bigger clothes should fit you Hime-nee!" Aurora exclaimed joyfully.

Yugi was quick to hide her horror behind a smiling facade, even as her mind screamed in horror at the thought of being an oversized dress up doll.

"Unfortunately we're running out of time, Miss Walker." Yami cut in smoothly. "I believe that we have to spare that for the next time." A fake smile plastered over his face.

Yugi would, if she could (translation: If her pride allowed her.), kiss him right there.

But while kissing was off the table, gently squeezing his hand in thanks was not. The small squeeze that she received in return was not the reason to her smile. Not at all.

Aurora pouted. Her Hime-nee shouldn't walk around dressed like a bodyguard. She would be so much prettier in a purple dress gown with a small tiara on her head. The young girl gained starry-eyes as she gazed at nothing in particular, imagining the cuteness that would, without doubt, radiate from her Hime-nee.

It was as they opened the ridiculous oversized doors, that Yugi begun to ponder whether or not she should have written her last will before departing from the house.

While the ball was supposedly arranged for the nobles and higher power's amusement, the false smiles spoke for the ball's true cause. It was a field of landmines, awaiting some poor bastard that would sooner rather than later take a step in the wrong direction.

Getting to the higher powers was hard but staying in the position was harder. It was always a struggle between different powers, said struggles often covered up with a ball.

Like the ball they were currently working in right now.

Hiding every emotion of value behind a well crafted mask (forced into perfection by Mai) Yugi entered, making sure to have the smaller girl's right covered. Yami might not like the girl but he would without doubt protect her until the contract would expire.

The crowd zoned in on them like a hungry wolf pack, sniffing the air for weakness like a shark would whiff for blood. They studied them into detail, staring long enough for it to be considered rude. Not bothering to make a scene, Yugi swiftly escorted Aurora towards the children's corner, Yami walking behind them searching the room for eventual dangers.

Not finding any present threats, Yami quickened his pace, easily catching up to Yugi and Aurora.

Aurora was evidently very well educated in wearing the mask, she reveled enough to be considered pleasant yet hiding much more than what you would expect from a child her age. She strolled down the room, not making a fuss even though she obviously disliked the child corner.

Yugi didn't as much as twitch when Yami appeared next to Aurora.

"Nothing?" She asked, making sure that her lips moved as little as possible, some people had the uncanny ability to read lips much to Yugi's irritation, she had never managed to learn that herself.

"Nothing." Yami confirmed, even though his eyes lingered on someone.

Yugi glanced over towards the said person of interest and almost instantly choked on the air.

Mai stood, slightly covered, in one of the corners with a black wig and fake glasses. Yugi could almost feel the glare she gained for the visible reaction.

Yami only chuckled slightly before herding Yugi and Aurora towards the kiddie corner.

"Wha-"

"Later." Yami interrupted shortly.

Hour after hour ticked by as Yugi felt her temper rage inside her mind.

It was impossible to avoid spoiled brats on parties like this yet Yugi couldn't help but entertain the thought of shooting them. Not fatally thought, just grazing their arm or something like that.

They were constantly hounding her and Yami for some reason, demanding them to sign over themselves to their family as nannies.

Of course no one actually said nannies but Yugi was more than capable to read between the lines.

Fortunately for her, most of them was more interested in Yami rather than her. Why Yami was unclear, but Yugi guessed that it more had to do with his slight inviting expression, he wasn't outwardly frowning like she was which most probably gained him style points from the brats.

She knew that she was unfairly harsh. She didn't actually know them but this day alone had been exhausting, everything deserved her anger for the moment, no matter how much she would probably regret it later. Probably.

Yami the bastard was of course the epitome of perfection. He was neither emotionless nor cold and his mask didn't falter.

It annoyed Yugi how flawless Yami seemed to be, or maybe not so flawless after all. She shuddered as she remembered the flash of insanity that had been visible in his eyes.

She bit her lower lip in thought, should she tell the others? Maybe ask Mai for the details? Yugi was unsure. Maybe it wouldn't be a hit to tell Joey and the others, Ryou might understand her position but the others, more impulsive and aggressive team members would rather declare war.

Things had yet to clear up and Yugi couldn't help but hope that the worst would soon blow over. Unfortunately, knowing her streak of luck the chance of this just blowing over almost unnoticed was about as low as it could get.

On the other hand, they had Ryou who was known for her luck so maybe her bad luck would be outweighed by the white haired teen's luck.

Yugi refrained from releasing the sigh and cast a longing gaze towards the clock. Maybe she could force it forward faster if she just wanted it enough?

"You look like death warmed over." Joey stated insensitively as she gazed at the shorter with a worried frown.

"Jeez, thanks Joey, lovely to hear how much you adore and love me." Yugi grumbled tiredly as she continued to lay completely still on the floor.

Ryou giggled slightly as Malik merely rolled her eyes at the shorter's behaviour.

Joey frowned in worry, the teen seemed to be more drained than usual, something was obviously wrong.

"Okay spill, what happened?" She asked as she critically observed the bundled figure on the floor.

Yugi peeked up at her through her bangs, a tired frown marring the amethyst eyed teenager's features as she sighed. "Nothing happened Joey."

"Bullshit." The blonde cut in, teeth flashing slightly, a clear sign of the other's irritation.

"Joey, calm down. It's late and Yugi just came back from a mission after a whole day of school, she might just be tired." Malik reasoned but doubt was still somewhat evident in the Egyptian's voice.

"If you manage to get up to the table, I'll make some chocolate milkshakes." Ryou offered quietly as the tension rose a notch.

"Do that Ryou and I'll fucking raise a shrine in your honor." Yugi promised as she, for the first time since she came home, lifted her head to meet the albino girl's eyes.

Ryou giggled a bit, clearly somewhat unsettled but helped the shorter girl up from the floor before walking towards the kitchen dragging the shorter with her as she went.

Just as Malik was about to follow the two girls into the kitchen a hand wrapped around her wrist, stopping her. She glanced back and saw a visible conflicted Joey.

"Malik… What should we do?" She whispered questioningly as she cast a glance towards the kitchen. Malik wasn't stupid and had since long realized that this talk would sooner rather than later come up between the two of them. They were after all the last ones to go into the so called 'trance' or whatever Yugi and Ryou had entered as their eyes meet with their counterparts.

Malik frowned as she realized that Joey must have drawn a couple of conclusions regarding Yugi's admittedly strange behaviour since she came home from her shared mission.

"Outside." She whispered quietly before walking towards the kitchen in order to tell the other Hikaris that they would step outside for some time.

Joey sighed as she half glared at the staircase.

It was a bit rushed to talk with Malik at the moment, neither of them had been pursued by Seto or Marik, yet, so her worry might be unfounded.

Her instincts had been screaming since Yugi entered the house without Yami who, according to her, had decided to take a midnight walk before turning in for the night.

Something had changed between the two of them and that was disturbing to say the least. A person like Yugi didn't simply start to trust a person at the drop of the hat, especially not after the hardcore training they had to suffer through with Mai. She had admittedly been a very trusting person before they meet but she had changed slightly and shifted that unconditional trust towards those closest to her.

As much as it hurt to admit it, Yugi was moving on without them, dragging more and more people into her rather small bubble of people that she would do everything and anything in order to protect.

Yami was slowly but surely moving into that bubble. If it was something Joey knew for sure then that was that Yami was trouble on a completely new level never experienced before. A threat that wasn't noticed until it was too late to do anything about it.

It wasn't a matter of if he hurt Yugi it was a matter of when and how.

She didn't like them. Neither of them. They were already splitting her family into bits and pieces and she just couldn't deal with it anymore. Not again, not after losing Sereni-

Joey forcefully shook her head. She couldn't be distracted by her long dead sister, she had to protect the family she just got, a family she knew Serenity would love. If they had ever met.

Joey closed her eyes in defeat, she would just have to wait for either of them to fuck up. Because when they did, and they would, Joey knew their type, she'd simply make sure that they would never touch Yugi and the others ever again.

She wouldn't be on the sidelines when those bastards would tear the other Hikaris apart.

She's Joey Wheeler and she would protect her family and friends even if she had to die for them.

"Yugi, Ryou! Joey and I are stepping out for a bit, anything you need?" Malik asked as she poked her head inside the kitchen causing the two shorter girls to look up from the blender.

"Oh, some chocolate if you please!" Ryou beamed before tilting her head to the side in thought, "Maybe some ice cream as well. We need to kickstart Yugi's sugar reserves." She said as an afterthought.

Malik simply nodded before she returned to the room where she left Joey to her own devices. As her gaze meet with the obviously Joey-less room she silently cursed her expectations that the girl would stay put.

She grimaced as she put on her slightly dirty jacket but she knew that she could blame no one but herself. Malik pondered the thought of quickly running up to her room and getting another jacket but discarded the idea. The risk was that Joey would leave without her if she made her wait too long outside (there was no doubt where the girl had gone to after all).

The shoes came on quickly and she was out through the door after carelessly throwing a 'Bye' over her shoulder directed to the remaining Hikaris who mutely answered her back.

Malik let out a breath she didn't know she held as she caught sight of the taller blonde.

"Jeez Joey, would it kill you to wait for a second?" She questioned as she fell in step with the slightly taller girl.

Joey rolled her eyes.

"So, did Yug and Ryou need anything specific?" She asked while avoiding the question, they both knew very well that waiting, if only for a second, could cost lives and cause a big mess in the system.

"Chocolate and ice cream." The Egyptian answered shortly before casting a glance towards her.

They fell into a comfortable silence yet with a slightly tense edge to the whole thing. Joey wasn't sure where to begin and Malik was waiting the taller to do just that.

"I don't like them." Joey finally stated as she kicked away a stray small rock.

"Really? My fault then, I thought you and the guys were the best of buddies?" Malik answered sarcastically without batting an eyelash, she clearly didn't take her serious.

"I'm not kidding Malik!" Joey hissed but immediately regretted it as her friend's violet eyes got an obviously worried look to them.

"Forget I said anything." She muttered as she looked down again, more than willing to drop the subject.

"Don't. What got you to think differently?" Malik pressed forward. While Joey obviously didn't like the Yamis she was still quite natural in the whole business, as long as they didn't obviously mess with them.

"I knew people like them Malik. People who were members of a gang I used to work with." Joey admitted and Malik couldn't help but perk up at the new piece of information, Joey almost never spoke of her past.

"They are that kind of poison that is unnoticeable until it's too late." She stated with heat.

"Why come to me about this?" Malik questioned as she narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "Wouldn't Yugi or even Ryuo be better in this kind of situation?"

Joey's eyes darkened significantly and she looked away from the Egyptian's burning gaze.

"Their opinion is no longer unbiased." She stated softly before she once again regained the eye contact with Malik.

"I don't know what they did to them, but whatever it was, it was not good. Yugi has started to warm up to Yami and Ryou was already pretty God damned neutral about it all. You are the only one who I can confide in."

Malik didn't even realize that she stopped. She stared at Joey who also stopped some steps away from her.

"What?!" She hissed. Yugi had warmed up to who?

"Don't play stupid, Blondie. You know as well as I do that an untrusting Yugi would never allow Atem to just go on a so called midnight walk."

Malik felt as if ice was slowly forming in her lower stomach. She hadn't missed it but rather prayed that she was just mistaken.

"Then what should we do?" Malik stressed as she dragged a hand through her hair, closing her eyes in a half hearted attempt to the wave of the incoming migraine.

"Lay low, make sure that Yugi and Ryou really isn't under some sort of drugged influence. Maybe do some background checking. They have pretty much access to all our files, don't you think that it's time to return the favor?" Joey said softly as she switched her weight to the other foot.

"Yes, with interest." Malik deadpanned. "The question I'm more concerned by is how we're supposed to evade turning up in the same state as they ended up in."

"Avoid eye contact?" Joey said but it sounded more as a question rather than a suggestion.

"Yes Sherlock, because that's going to turn up so well later on."

"I don't know, okay Malik! I've done research, checked every God Damned book I own, and you know that I own a lot, and never had even a suggestion that something like soulmates exist, never mind the strange trance they got in as their eyes meet!"

Malik frowned. Joey could be a spectacular actress when she wanted to be, almost better than her, neither of them had even seen as much as a sign of her distress earlier. And didn't that just make her ponder just how much the blonde girl was really hiding.

"... Avoid eye contact it is then. But I rather doubt that they'll just allow us to do so in the near future."

Joey nodded mutely and they began to walk once again.

"I was thinking strawberry ice cream. I checked our schedule for tomorrow and our first lesson isn't until after lunch."

"Really?" Joey said, her previous serious and slightly depressed mood gone but not forgotten.

"Yup. But the Friday is a real time killer." Malik bemoaned as they strolled down towards the convenience store.

Joey yawned as she grabbed the bag of chocolate and ice cream from the cashier. She bid the slightly moody cashier good night before she walked out from the store together with Malik.

"Jeez, he was just a sunshine wasn't he?" Malik complained as they walked back towards the house.

It was pretty cold outside but neither of them was really bothered by it, it was after all still just summer.

Malik frowned as she suddenly stopped, grabbing hold of Joey.

"Who's there? Show yourself." She ordered briskly as she glared out into the darkness that surrounded them. Only the street lights illuminated their path and wasn't that strange? It was late summer, how could it be so dark outside?

The sound of steel heels hitting asphalt was the only warning they gained before a familiar figure revealed himself before them.

Malik and Joey flinched as Yami stepped into view, shadowing his features in the darkness.

"What are you doing here?!" Joey hissed as she heatedly glared at the male.

Yami tilted his head to the side, studying them to the very detail.

"I could ask the very same thing to you." He answered smoothly. "As for why I'm here, I'm perfectly aware that Yugi informed you that I was taking a stroll."

"Yeah, like we'll believe that." Joey muttered as Malik opened her mouth.

"We got kicked out from the house in order to buy some ice cream and chocolate." Malik answered tensely, shifting her weight from foot to foot.

"Oh?" Yami questioned softly. "Well if you would excuse me… I've got some business to sort out." He said before he continued forward, ignoring how the two girls flinched as he walked past them.

They weren't his business after all.

"Jesus christ." Malik said as the male disappeared into the darkness. "Let's never ever fucking do that again."

Joey nodded tensely and they both continued forward, if they went a bit faster than usual, well, who could blame them?

"I'm just going to eat some chocolate and ice cream and then go straight to bed. We might start school late but I need the rest in order to come over this traumatizing meeting." Malik said dramatically.

"I think we can all agree to that Malik." Joey agreed softly as she hooked her arm around Malik's, for once Malik didn't complain over the contact and simply walked slightly faster.

"Welcome back!" Ryou greeted as the two teens walked into the kitchen, "Was it cold outside?"

"Like the grave." Malik stated shortly as she sunk down on one of the kitchen chairs beside Yugi.

"Malik, you'll jinx us!" Yugi protested as she jumped of the table and bounced over towards Joey.

"Are you okay?" She questioned softly as she peered up at the taller girl.

Joey blinked slowly before giving the amethyst eyed girl a cheeky smile. "Never been better Yug, we brought chocolate and ice cream."

Yugi squealed excitedly as she grabbed the bag that Joey handed over.

"Joey Wheeler, have I ever told you that I love you?"

"I'm hurt. Here I am, suffering through the ice cold wasteland with Joey at my side and yet Yugi only declares her dying love to her? I'm insulted. Really." Malik drawled.

"Oh, stuff it Malik." Yugi giggled as she threw a piece of chocolate at the Egyptian.

"Yeah, stuff it Malik."

"Ehum, guys we shouldn't really gang up on Malik." Ryou softly stated as she opened the drawer and took out four small bowls.

"Yeah.. wait 'we'? Ryou! You're supposed to be on my side!" Malik moaned as she gave the white haired teen an impressive pout that even amazed Joey.

"Sorry Malik, I don't side with the losing side." Ryou stated as she gave the taller girl a blank look.

"Oi!"

"Give up Malik, you're fighting a losing cause." Yugi grinned as she took a bite of chocolate.

"What, were you asleep during Mai lectures? Never give up!"

"Dudette, she only said that when she threw us down a mountain." Joey deadpanned as she gave the Egyptian a blank look.

"Whatever-"

~Riiiiiiiiiiing, Riiiiiiing~

"Ah, That's mine!" Yugi exclaimed as she fished up her phone curious yet dreading the reason.

She'd rather not suffer through one of Mai's lectures.

However she was happily surprised when a familiar name appeared on the closed screen.

"Hello Duke!" Yugi greeted softly as she heard her friend's soothing voice.

"Yugi! Where the hell have you been? I've asked gramps and he said that it was a secret!"

Yugi sweat dropped as she heard her grampa's excuse, of course saying something like that would only perk Duke's interest even more.

"Ehh… Don't worry Duke, I'm fine! Do you remember Mai? One of her friends called in a favor she owed. The friend is an old childhood-friend and currently the principle to a pretty new school who had just started to bring in other students from all over the country. Joey, Malik, Ryou and I were sent here in order for the school to test how good the exchange program is working and stuff." Yugi babbled on, the excuse had flaws and could easily be proven wrong if Duke bothered to check… Oh well. Too late for that.

"Jeez Yugi, I just asked where you were not your life story!" Duke laughed and Yugi relaxed.

"Yeah… Sorry-" "I wanna talk to Duckie!" Malik suddenly interrupted and Yugi blinked at her empty hand that just a second ago had held a phone.

"Oi, Malik!" She protested half heartedly as the Egyptian eagerly pressed her ear against the screen.

"Malik…" Duke complained loudly, "I'm no duck!"

"Silly Duckie. You're the most duck like person I've ever meet!" Malik teased as she leaned back on the chair she sat on.

"Yugi-chan! Malik is mean to mee~!"

Ryou giggled softly as she handed over a bowl of ice cream to Joey and Yugi who had given up on the phone. Let Malik have her way, she'd step in eventually and save Duke from the embarrassment. Probably.

"Ice cream! Ryou dear, you're an angel!"

"Careful Malik-kun, if you eat too much sugar you'll get fat." Duke teased as the rest of the Hikaris winced as one. Duke was doomed.

"What did you just say Duckie? Don't make me introduce you to my brother. I bet he'd be dying to meet the dude who insulted my weight." Malik said silkily.

Joey let out a short laugh at that, Odion was easily both taller and more muscular than Duke, it'd be hilarious to see Duke attempted to fight Malik's giant of a brother.

"Eh… I think I'll skip that meeting. Anyway, take care everyone, even you puppy, see you later Yugi-chan! At least make it back for Christmas will you?"

~Click~

"That coward." Malik huffed. "Hanging up because Odion would like to introduce his pretty face to his fist."

"Pretty?" Joey mouthed as she wrinkled her nose.

"Duh, he's obviously gay." Malik huffed as she took a large scoop of her ice cream.

"What!?" Yugi exclaimed as she jumped up in shock.

"Yugi, darling, I love you but everyone with eyes can say that the dude is gay. Honestly, tell me one other guy who wears leather pants that tight and has that kind of rounded ass. Not to mention his hair and eyes, god, I'd kill for that hair." Malik pouted ignoring the state of shock her friends were in.

"Malik… Doesn't Yami wear leather pants as well?" Ryou asked carefully.

"Meh, he's probably gay too."

Joey choked as she gaped at the Egyptian.

"What?"

"Just… Don't let him hear you say that." Joey sighed as she shook her head.

Yugi was openly gaping at Malik.

"He's gay?" She meeped softly as she gazed up at Malik.

"Maybe. He might just be straight and like to dress up prettily, I mean, his advances hasn't been that discrete."

She looked around in the kitchen and saw only confusion written all over her friends faces, Malik frowned.

"What seriously? None of you noticed?"

They shook their heads.

"Dear Ra, he's obviously trying to deflower Yugi's rose!"

"Oh really?" A familiar voice suddenly cut in.

Malik shuddered as she turned around slowly, facing the leader of the Yamis who stood in the door opening. He had a chilling smile spread over his face and red eyes that spoke of darkness and fury. Overall, he did not look happy.

"Tell me more, I'm really interested in this Duke." he stated chillingly, causing Yugi and Ryou to shiver in shock.

AN: Aaaaaaand cut!

There you have it, my newest chapter. Hope you're happy. May I mention that any reviews that I get equals faster chapters? No? I'll just be quiet over here then…

Honestly, I have no excuse for it being this late. Other than, you know, school and stuff like that.

Yeah… Until next time, whenever that may be…

This has been beta-ed.