tsk tsk...tis been too long. Sorry sweeties! Life's been...here.

Baku: how profound.

Seventeen pages (not including responses to reviewers!) Whoot for me! -hugs self-

CosmicEssence: -points- New reviewer! -tackles- Greetings! Oh and a nice long review! My favorite! -snuggles review- (Baku: O.o) anyhoo, yeehaw, you like the story! I was just doing final touch-ups on this chappie when I checked the reviews and saw there was a new one!!! -grin- If you couldn't tell, that made me happy. (cosmic: -sweatdrop-) I'm glad you find the characters convincing. Sure Baku's a little OC (Baku: A Little?) But hey, I think he's cute that way!--and apparently so do the rest of you guys too! So whoot! I never thought of the scene with Yugi seeing someone down in the water creepy...but yes, you're right. It's extremely creepy, now that you mention it! (Baku: -.-; No comment) -grins- A new fan?! Whoot! -tosses orange tic tacs in the air- Those are MUCH better than fireworks! -stuffs face with tic tacs- Onward!

moonlit dew: -gasps- Another new one! -tackleglomps- Hi!! "One of the best Yugi/Bakura stories I've read!" -rubs hands together all 'plotting-like'- Now to make it THE best Yugi/Bakura story they've ever read...! (Baku: You just don't know when to quit, do you?) Nope! (Baku: -sigh-)

Ryougabriellucile: Aie! And another newbie! -tackles- "sorry, it's easter, I'm hyped up on chocolate..." -sigh- This is so sad! I promised I'd never take this long to update a story and look at this! Last updated in February! SAD! "when exactly is Yami going to find out Bakura's around? hehehe, I can't wait. Let the death threat contest commence! I mean, what?" -grins- Oh I agree whole-heartedly! (Yami: Don't touch my hikari you creep!) (Baku: Bring it, bitch!)

Zozz: -grins- Did I ever tell you I love your name? (Baku: most likely...) Ah. I see. Well: I LOVE YOUR NAME! (zozz: O.O) (Baku: Way to go and give the readers heart attacks, ferris) -blushes- I can't help it if I'm enthusiastic! (ack, you're a new reviewer to this story! -tackles-)

Reijin Hakume: What! Yes it did end there! But now it's FINALLY back! Whoot whoot! XD

Ryou Hanasaki: School did Jekyll and Hyde? I looove the music from that. My fav Jekyll is the version with Anthony Warlow. Passsha! "I do think that that is funny that Kura got motion sickness " -sigh- Yeah. I myself am very prone to such. When I was little I couldn't even spin in circles! NOT FAIR! Needless to say, I've missed out on a bunch of fun stuff. (Baku: Oh boo hoo) -glare- "Yugi and him need to shack up already. I mean damn...could it take any longer? " -cackles- Fear not! They /attempt/ something in this chappie but are...interrupted? -grin- (Baku: You people make me sick)

Ana: "Dont blame me blame the author of this fic she corrupted me!" Yessssssss! It was I! ME!...erm...Ferris! (Baku: You are pathetic) Ngh! "You're not just throwing them together. Thats what makes this fic so good." -grins- Some of your fellow fans are growing...impatient about the lack of...oh fuck, let's just say it: they want to get to the sex. (Baku: Perverts! Every single one of you!) -laughs-

Hi!: -grins- Hi yourself! "we should have had a snow day later and we couldn't get it because it had been spent on a cold day" Ouch. Hopefully that wasn't the case. (Baku: Damn ferris! It's SUMMER and you're replying to responses from Feb!) -sigh- I know I know! Stop rubbing it in!

Arcanalirin: "Yay for Mai and Bakura-ness! They have such a cool relationship in this fic" I know! Aren't they adorable? Just a slut and a fruity gay having a good time. (Baku: -blink- Waaait. I'm not a slut so that would have to make me the...-tantrum- I'm NOT FRUITY!!) -grins-

Kit-Cat Caitlin: "gotta love car chases over small matters" Oh indeed! Especially when a character doesn't want to be involved! (Baku: -grumbling- Aka: me)

Chaos Raider Tenshi: "you like the cause the charactors pain don't you?" -blinks inncently- Who? Me? ME? (characters: YES YOU, DAMMIT FERRIS!!) Eheheheehe! Oh I do I do!

Silver Mirror: "Kura getting a facial!! That's so cute!!" -grins- I don't think he can be uncute! (Baku: -growls-) Daww! See what I mean?! (Baku: -.-;)

Skittles the Sugar Fairy: "Its all being portrayed so evilly" I know! Isn't it wonderful?!! (Baku: Not quite the word I was going to use...)

IceInu: "WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG TO UPDATE!" Uh oh. I have a feeling I'm gonna be seeing that sentence again...Sorry sorry! -kowtows repeatedly-

darkmistressofyaoi: "..:.. You...you...YOU UPDATED!!" -sigh- I can't wait to see what I'll be getting for the wait this time, eh? Ah well, I guess I deserve it...sorta."ah, facials...is there any better way for a puffy, white-haired sex beast to show just how gay he is?" (Baku: -blink- Puffy...white-haired...sex beast? -blink- HEY! -tantrum-) Quick at catching on, isn't he? -sweatdrop- "now all Yugi has to do is get his butt in gear and snog that tomb robber!" (Baku: And here we go with the sex and snogging...again) Hehehe! It's a fun word! Snogging! Ehehehehe! (Baku: -.o...)

Dazja: "Nice to see a non angsty story where Bakura uses rational thought." (Yami: -scoffs- I myself don't find it very believable) (Baku: More believable than your hair color!) (Yami: At least i don't have bunny ears!) (Baku: Better a bunny than a turkey's ass) -.o Unbelievable.

Crumpled piece of paper: "looks over the reviews and gasps cut my first review in half! . I wrote like two freaking paragraphs, too...but, at least now I know." Feh! I know what you mean! The site keeps erasing parts of my responses every time I save changes! grrrr..."And (can't believe I'm saying this, but) Yay for friendship!" (Baku: And facials! -beaming-) (Yugi: Maiiiii! Look what you've done to him! He's fruity!) (Baku: -prancing around-) -snerk-

cgflower: "bakura's so cute!" I know! He's so dawwww-like in this fic! (Baku: "daaaaw"?)

-Sporky- queen of the sand: -snerk- Nice. "I'm happy! happy, happy, happy!" -pouts- I wanna be happy too! -idea lightbulb appears over head- Ah! I know! -pops depression meds- Weeee! "happy" is fairly close to happy, no? (Baku: You have sooo many issues, ferris)

kalimoto: "MORE DRAMA! -basks in it.. and throws some orange tic-tacs in the air-" Yes Yes YES! -prances in shower of orange tic tacs- If this isn't heaven, then there isn't one. "ANGST:D -throws gobstoppers at screen- [e! CANDY" -lunges at gobstoppers- (Baku: No! No more sugar, ferris! Bad!) "I'm ADDICTED to this story like it's orange tic-tacs" -tearfully happy- I love it when people put it in ways I can understand it! -tackleglomps- I love you! (Baku: O.o)

MarshmellowPeepGod: "BAKURA NEEDS FOOD! (hands over plate of pasta)" Ooh! Lovely! -grabs and downs- (Baku: Heeey! That was for ME!) Urp...umm...oops? (Baku: . I hate you)

Rogue1979: "Grr, when are those two gonna get together!" -laughs- This chapter! (everyone: O.O) (Yami: Good ra, she answered a question!) (Baku: -panicking- It's the apocalypse!) Har har har.

Anima-Ereptor: "Kura in a bath towel (distant look) Heh...(drools)" -grin- I know...what I'd give to be that massage therapist... (kura: perverts! Sickos! Every single one of you!) -grins- Guilty. "YOU like potatoes TOO! Oh GOD! WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE! Its another koinu!" Ummm...yay!! (Baku: O.O)

dragonlady222: "Poor Bakura, I can just see him getting really sick." -grins grimly- That was done after yours truly! When I was young I couldn't even run in a circle without throwing up. Still like that to this day. Sucks Big Time. -nods-

Sirithiliel: "Whoot! 200th reveiwer!" Whoot! That deserves something special. Hmm...I know! -pulls out big bag- 200 orange tic tacs! (Baku: Surprise surprise)

Gasp! So many people! Lessee: I shall dedicate this chapter to CosmicEssence, moonlit dew, Ryougabriellucile, Zozz, and Hi!

I Could Fall in Love

I could lose my heart tonight if you don't turn and walk away
Cause the way I feel I might lose control and let you stay
Cause I could take you in my arms and never let go

I could fall in love with you
I could fall in love with you

I can only wonder how touching you would make me feel
But if I take that chance right now,
Tomorrow will you want me still?
So I shall keep this to myself
And never let you know

I could fall in love with you

I could fall in love with you

And I know it's not right
And I guess I should try
To do what I should do
But I'd fall in love, fall in love with you
I could fall in love with you So I shall keep this to myself
And never let you know

I could fall in love with you

I could fall in love with you

Chapter: Laugh at Love

(Bakura's POV)

"Mmm...well, that has to be one of the best hotdogs I've ever tasted," Yugi states contentedly as the three of us stroll along the busy boardwalk that's lined with numerous food stands and souvenir shops. We've been wandering around for the entire afternoon; just now having finished dinner.

"I don't know what you're getting all goofy about," Mai replies indifferently as she peeks over her violet sunglasses to examine some earrings at a stand. "It's not like one hotdog tastes different from another."

"Now that's not true!" the teen on my left counters, hands in his pockets as he and I wait for Mai to continue walking. "Some kinds are just completely shit-stuffed..."

"Be that as it may," the girl cuts in, a look of disgust souring her features. "They're just hotdogs after all."

Yugi and I both give her aghast looks, much to her annoyance. I've found I've developed a taste for the food; it's not like I ate delicacies or anything back in Egypt, and perhaps that affects my indifference to the quality of the food I'm eating. If it tastes good—it's mine.

As Yugi hurries after Mai, all the while protesting profusely, I merely smile to myself, following behind the quarreling duo. Though I won't admit it out loud, I'm glad Yugi's joined us. As much as I'll fight against it, Mai was correct in saying that I've become—for lack of a better word—attracted to the Pharaoh's hikari. Gods, I've turned into such a pathetic softie. And yet...I'm not exactly hating it very much.

I'm forced out of my thoughts as the tri-colored hair teen falls against me; off balance due to the shove he's just received from the blonde girl.

"Gack!" Yugi gasps, tumbling over; violet eyes blink in surprise when he finds himself not on the ground as expected but in my arms looking up at me. I caught him around the waste, leaning forward, his back towards the ground. His hands are gripping the front of my shirt, fingers curling into the fabric.

We stare at one another in complete stupefaction. A faint tinge of pink graces his cheeks as he gazes at me with a look no one's ever given me before. If I weren't so devastatingly attracted to him, I might actually think that was desire in his eyes. No. It couldn't be. It's just my own emotions getting to my head. My throat is tight as I note how warm his body is against mine; muscles on his arms firm and defined...

"Well isn't this cute!"

I jolt, ripping myself away from him in embarrassment. Too flabbergasted to react, the teen yelps as he lands on his ass; still gawking at me with wide eyes. Face burning with both fervor and mortification, I shoot a glare at Mai who is standing before us with her hands on her curved hips, a smug smirk on her rounded pink lips.

"I knew it!" she states with such cockiness that I know this isn't going to end well for me. "Not that I ever doubted myself," the girl adds as Yugi pulls himself off the ground.

I don't offer a hand to him or an apology; afraid that if I try to do either that I'll turn to stone amidst the crowds of people walking around us up and down the boardwalk.

"You know what?" Yugi asks, brushing the sand that came here from the beach by clinging to peoples' feet as if in desperation for something new.

I give Mai a look that clearly states Don't you dare. She sees it but is clearly enjoying my torment. Damn bitch.

"Why—the two of you being an item," she states raising her eyebrows.

My mouth has gone completely dry just like it was so often as I wandered the desert all those thousands of years ago. What I'd give to be there now...to be anywhere but here.

After staring at Mai with a look of complete shock for a moment, Yugi does something that catches both the blonde and I by surprise: he laughs.

"W-what? You've got to be joking, Mai! I mean: Bakura and I?" He laughs again. "So much for your supposed 'expertise' in identifying a relationship! I mean: Bakura and I?" he repeats again, snickering while shaking his head at what he sees as complete absurdness.

No. Not just what he's sees as absurd—what is absurd. I know it. Mai knows it; she even admitted it would never work. How could I have actually been dwelling on such a preposterous fantasy? Watching Yugi's amused expression, I find I can't be mad at him for this. I'm mad at myself. Yugi is just seeing the whole idea for what it really is: ridiculous. But it hurts. Gods my chest is aching and suddenly all I want is to get away from him so the pain will leave. Jaw tight, I shove my hands into my pockets and stalk off down the boardwalk, ignoring when he calls for me to stop.

(Mai's POV)

I blink in astonishment when Yugi clutches his stomach and laughs while Bakura stands stiffly next to him, fists clenched at his side.

"W-what? You've got to be joking, Mai! I mean: Bakura and I?" Yugi asks before laughing again. I pick up on it, though it's subtle: the anxiety in his laughter.

Oh my god. I was right.

"So much for your supposed 'expertise' in identifying a relationship! I mean: Bakura and I?" Yugi shakes his head, nervously trying to deride my statement.

While he's continuing to play the denial game, I glance over at the thief to find a hurt expression on those sharp features. His brow is laced with pain at the emotional blow he's just received. The yami doesn't join in with the phony jollity nor does he try to contradict it. My white-haired companion just stands there powerlessly, fixed to the wooden boardwalk, brown eyes glassy yet blazing all at once. Yugi's face is plastered with a shocked expression when Bakura turns on his heel and swiftly storms away.

"Hey! Bakura? Bakura—!" Yugi only has a chance to take one step before I've grabbed him by the arm, holding firmly. "Mai, what are you doing? Where's he...?"

"You're an idiot, Yugi Mutou, you know that?" I growl, making sure to dig my nails into his skin.

"Ow! Let go! Ow!" he shrieks as I draw blood whilst dragging his fraught form over to a bench and forcing him to sit beside me; all the while ignoring the curious looks we're receiving. I find myself being disregarded; Yugi struggling to free himself while casting frantic glances after Bakura who has long since vanished.

"Yugi, look at me. Look at me, Yugi," I hiss in a low voice, letting him know I'm deadly serious here. He reluctantly turns to me, eyes full of confusion and worry. I sigh, reminding myself that killing him won't help the situation any.

"How could you think to say that?" I spit out before I can stop myself. All right, so I'm angry. Hell—I'm pissed.

His forehead creases with bewilderment. "What? What did I say?"

I all but gawk at the kid, fighting the urge to hit my forehead with my palm as I see the truth. Guys can be so oblivious. "You really don't know, do you?"

The tri-color haired teen studies me in perplexity, racking his brain in a desperate attempt to figure out what I'm hounding him about. Coming up with nothing, he shakes his head miserably.

I sigh again. "All right, Yugi, let's get some things straightened out once and for all. First off: you're attracted to Bakura—don't even try to argue with me, Yugi Mutou!" I snap when he opens his mouth to do just that. "You know it's true. What I want to know is: why did you pretend then that it isn't?"

Violet eyes look away ashamedly, out to the rolling ocean and the sea gulls and clouds. "I...I guess I didn't want him to know...didn't want to scare him away."

I snort. "Well you did just that."

"But what did I...? How do you know it would have been different if I'd admitted it to him?" Yugi continues bitterly, glaring at the horizon. "What makes you think he wouldn't have laughed in my face or run away from me anyway?"

I grab his chin, forcing him to turn back to me. Leaning in, I look him straight in the eye; our faces mere inches apart.

"Because I know the feeling's mutual."

(Honda's POV)

Sweat seeps out from under my hairline, dawdling on my forehead before sliding down my face. After going through the mansion, I abandon that search, heading outdoors. I immediately wish I'd brought my sandals; the sand burning the tender underside of my feet as I walk down the small dune lined with snake grass to the beach below. While reaching the area where the plants stop and the sea shells begin littering the ground—the point the water comes to at high tide—I spot him.

A lone figure trudging along in the shallows, waves nearly knocking him off balance as they plow inland. Blonde hair whips back and forth in the salty breeze, his face not visible. His head is bowed as he plods aimlessly, arms hanging limp at his sides, blue jean shorts soaked up to the hips.

"Jounouchi!" I call, carefully watching my footing as I run down the remainder of the dune, nearly tumbling over twice as I approach my friend.

My best bud doesn't look up—doesn't even acknowledge my presence as I splash over to him. All my attention is on him; not bothering that my own clothes are getting drenched. Jounouchi continues to tread through the water, staring down into the waves as they shove at our legs in an attempt to pull us under.

"Jou, we've been...looking everywhere for you!" I pant while attempting to let my breath catch up with me.

"They're both gone."

The voice in which these three words are spoken is not that of my light-hearted, at times foolhardy, friend. This voice is dead. There's no emotion. It's what I imagine a rock would sound like if it could speak; the kind of voice something that experiences no sensations would have; absolutely lacking the aspects of anything alive...anything that can feel.

"Mai and Yug. They're both gone," he repeats since I didn't respond to him the first time.

I shrug helplessly even though he doesn't see, shoving my hands into my pockets to find them sopping wet. "Well, two cars aren't here. So they took separate ones..."

"...just to probably meet up somewhere later. Yug was running around earlier frantically...was lookin' for Mai before he ran outta here," the blonde mumbles soullessly as I lumber beside him.

My heart wrenches as I imagine what's going through his mind. Images of those two together—facing the truth that he's been stabbed in the back by one of his best friends and the girl he loves. Watching his whole world ripped to shreds right before his eyes.

"I...W-what are you going to do?" I croak, unsure of whether or not I want to know the answer. But I have to hear it. He needs me. He's going to need my support more than ever right now.

"Isn't it obvious?" There's a humorless amusement in his tone that sends a chill through me. I shiver despite the torrid sun beating down and the lukewarm water surrounding us. "It's over."

That could mean a lot of things. His friendship with Yugi could be over. His crush on Mai could be over. His standing back as his buddy takes his woman could be over—he might decide to fight Yugi for her. I squeeze my eyes closed for a long moment, trying not to imagine such a day when two of my best friends would be pitted against one another in a ruthless rivalry over the same girl.

"What...what's over?" I ask softly, not even sure if he heard me above the waves.

He suddenly halts, standing still as the water crashes in around us. Brown eyes barely visible under flaxen bangs gaze out into the foamy surf. I note the way his fingers have curled into fists at his sides, knuckles white as he digs his nails into the palms of his hands.

"All of it," he murmurs, a faraway look on his face. I stand by his side, unsure of what to say or do. It's like the ocean has swallowed up his soul and is now beckoning his body to join it deep beneath its murky depths.

(Yugi's POV)

I'm not really aware how I'm moving through the crowd. I don't remember instructing my legs to move. My mind is in a daze, having a hard time processing all the things Mai told me; the wooden bench blistering our bare legs as we sat there under the glare of the sun.

Bakura likes me.

I grimace. No. "Likes" isn't the right word. Loves me? No. "Love" is too strong a word for this situation.

Isn't it?

Ra this is confusing! What am I going to say to him when I find him? 'Hey there, Bakura. So I think you're hot and sexy and apparently you think the same about me'? Nah. Okay, how about 'So I'm sorry about laughing. I only laughed because I was ashamed I like you...'? No no! Don't use a word like "ashamed". That'd be reeeally flattering. He'd probably dig my eyes out and force me to eat them for that one...

I start, coming out of my thoughts to find myself at the end of the pier. The sun is beginning to set, casting an array of bright oranges and reds across the sky. I realize then that I'm not alone; becoming aware of the presence on the cement beyond the guard railing. Sitting alone at the very edge with his legs dangling over the sea far below, hair reflecting the sky's amber colors, is Bakura.

Heart hammering frantically against my ribcage, palms sweaty with perspiration, I take a deep breath to steady my nerve; strolling over as calmly as possible. The thief hasn't taken any notice of me, staring down into the undulating water that was his hell for the past three years. Fidgeting, I stand a few feet behind him, all but gnawing on my lip in indecision.

"How could you not have noticed?" Mai chastises me as I wrap my fingers around my bleeding forearm.

I look away, ashamed at how I have failed to notice what the girl calls Bakura's 'obvious attraction' to me. The crowds have diminished, the stands along the boardwalk closing one by one until all are vacant. Even with Mai here with me, I feel so alone...empty.

"All right, we're putting an end to all this drama once and for all," Mai states resolutely, grabbing me around the wrist and unceremoniously yanking me to my feet.

"Ow! Mai, stop it! What are you doing?" I exclaim in protest while trying to pry her painted long-nails out of my flesh as she proceeds to drag me in the direction the yami went.

"I'm taking you to Bakura, that's what I'm doing!" she announces stubbornly, not letting up on her hold in the least, towing me so hard that I'm positive she's pulling my shoulder out of its socket. "All these pointless hysterics. Good god, you're both acting like angst-ridden teenagers."

"Well, technically..."

"Oh shut up. We're going to sort this out even if I have to put you two on a sailboat and cast you out to sea until you've solved this whole mess..."

"Fine! I'll talk with him about it! Just...Just let me do it alone. Please," I implore to which she stops, glancing back at me whilst keeping her grip fixed.

After a moment of studying me in silence, she nods, releasing me from her iron clutch. "Fine. But if you hurt him, Yugi Mutou,"—a single, pointed nail presses upwards threateningly into the underside of my chin—"I will kill you."

I fight the urge to take a step back. Damn, her perspective of Bakura has sure changed. Not that mine hasn't, per se...

"If you've just come to gape at me then I'd appreciate it if you'd leave," a raspy voice mutters.

I blink in surprise, wondering with embarrassment how long I've been standing here staring at his back. He hasn't turned to look at me, facing ahead steadfastly.

"No I...t-that is..." I clear my throat when I notice how my voice is quivering. "Bakura..." Say it, Yugi! What's so hard about it? "Listen, I..." Say it, you coward! Say it!

His muscles tense as he waits for some scathing remark or put-down about how I don't feel like that about him. That he's just going to have to accept the fact that the emotions he's experiencing aren't reciprocated. That...

"She told you."

Caught off guard, I merely ask, "Huh?"

Bakura's shoulders vibrate slightly as he chuckles somberly. "Mai. She told you, didn't she? Or are you just acting all wary for some other reason?"

Legs trembling, I step forward hesitantly, slowly sinking down beside him on the edge. This is it: the moment that could set things into motion—things that will without a doubt begin countless struggles and face-offs against Yami and the others.

Yami...

"He wouldn't approve, you know," the thief states quietly, his fingers clenching around the edge of the pier. My mouth snaps shut; I'm not sure if I said my darker half's name out loud or if Bakura just knows I'm mulling over Yami's view of the matter. Brown eyes meet mine, and, for an instant, my mind is unable to process his words. Is Mai right?

Because I know the feeling's mutual.

My heart's in my throat, preventing any words or sound. Bakura is watching me attentively now, waiting for me respond in some way. It wouldn't be all bad, all struggles. I'd get to spend so much more time with him—and I want that. It's just...what would my friends think of me?

I know the feeling's mutual.

His skin looks like porcelain against the ginger of the day's end. Is it cold like glass or searing hot like the afternoon sun?

The feeling's mutual.

I don't know who instigated it. I don't know whether he scooted closer to me or if I leaned nearer to him. I don't even know if any words were spoken in the sheer agonizing moments before our lips connected; before our arms slipped carefully around one another's shaking torsos.

All I'm aware of is the tentative caresses of his smooth lips, and the soothing feeling of those strong arms around me. Of the way my heart is racing and my breath quickening; of my fingers clutching frantically into the fabric of his shirt, desperate to never let him go.

...Of keenly giving into my emotions and throwing all caution into the salty wind.

(Bakura's POV)

Even as I nip and lick at his lips affectionately, a voice in my head screams at me to stop; warns me not to participate in something that will only end badly for both Yugi and I. A romantic relationship could never work between us. The hikari's not brainless—he knows this won't bode well for anyone by the time it's played through. I banish this voice; not giving a damn about the future at the moment.

"Wow. You two sure don't waste any time, do you?" a voice snickers gaily causing us to instantly pull apart, fear of the threat of discovery tight in both our chests.

"Mai!" Yugi exclaims the obvious, struggling to his feet, coming very close to teetering off the pier in the process. I wait to rise until I'm certain he's a good distance away from the edge; ready to grab the teen should his fleeting inelegance get the better of him.

"In the gorgeous moisturized flesh, hon! Now boys, as happy I am that you've finally hooked up, please tell me I won't have to have Bakura sleep on the sofa in my room tonight to ward off any...temptations the two of you may have," she smiles shrewdly, sending me a wink to which I feel my entire face heat up in discomfiture. Why does she always have to be so blatant?

"Oh for goodness' sake!" Yugi huffs, equally embarrassed. "As if we can't control our own urges!"

Wait wait wait. Hold the frikin' phone! He's got urges? For me?!

My breath is caught in my throat and my pants feel two sizes too small as my eyes wander over the hikari's lithe frame. Hmm...urges, eh?

"My point exactly," Mai says, and I come out of my daze soon enough to catch her nodding in my direction; Yugi blushing madly next to me.

I send the girl a glare, though I'm not going to deny I was checking out the Pharaoh's light...The Pharaoh's light! Internally slapping myself seems to do the trick. Yes, Yugi is the Pharaoh's other half. I knew that even before I fucking fell for him. I can deal with that, right? Can I deal with looking into those deep violet eyes and gazing upon those features that so resemble said arch-enemy of mine?

Oh hell yeah.

(Yami's POV)

"All right, we've got to figure out what to do before things really get out of hand," I say pinching the bridge of my nose with my thumb and forefinger. "The last thing we need is Jounouchi and Yugi getting in an all-out fight."

It's already dark outside and Yugi and Mai still haven't come back. Anzu, Honda, Otogi and I are sitting around in the back lounge where we congregate for breakfast. Anzu's sitting next to me on the white futon, eyes shining with worry. Otogi is lounging back in a chair across the ways from us, composedly picking at a hangnail on his left pinkie; seeming completely oblivious to the whole situation at hand. Honda hasn't been able to sit still since he spoke with Jounouchi down by the beach; now pacing near the glass doors leading onto the patio where the blonde is residing, refusing to come inside. The brunette's reflection follows him back and forth, adding to the desperation of the whole scene.

"Hey, he's your hikari," Otogi points out with an annoyed look on his face.

"What do you want me to do? Ground him?" I retort, my temper shorter than usual given not only the circumstances we've found ourselves in but also by the fact that I'd rather be in bed asleep at this time. "Yugi's basically an adult now. He's old enough to make his own decisions, however decadent they may be."

"I just didn't think he'd stoop this low," Honda growls, arms crossed over his chest as he fidgets by the doors; the light in the room preventing us from seeing outside.

"I'm sure he and Mai didn't do this intentionally," Anzu puts in, distressed by the suggestion that the two could act so apathetically towards Jounouchi's feelings.

"What's the difference if it's intentional or not?" Otogi snorts, ripping the hangnail from his finger, scowling when a bead of blood begins seeping out. "The fact of the matter is: those two are fucking each other and Katsuya is sore 'cause he wanted to bang her."

"Oh Otogi! Must you be so crude?" Anzu hisses, face scrunched up in disgust.

"Hey, I'm just saying the truth! You can sugar-coat it with whatever flowery words you want but it won't change anything," the dice master shrugs apathetically before sucking on the tip of his finger where more blood is gathering.

No one can argue with the black-haired teen on that one. I grit my teeth, brandishing myself for letting this get out of hand; for not out-right asking Yugi about my suspicions concerning he and Mai. Now things have become so warped I don't know what to think.

He and I are going to have a looong discussion tomorrow.

(Mai's POV)

We decided to just take one car; the Kaiba Corp. personnel can pick the other up later. I grin, glancing in the rearview mirror to the two occupants of the backseat of the convertible as we fly like a bullet through the night. They're so adorable together, cuddling against one another back there. When we first started off they were simply holding hands and sending longing glances at one another when they thought I wasn't looking.

I know what this means, as does Bakura. We spoke about this earlier; how one can never penetrate the circle of friendship Yugi and the others have with one another. I, for one, have never been able to. But maybe for Bakura it'll be different. Maybe...hell, he might as well try for it.

Yugi has dozed off, head lulling to the side, resting on the thief's shoulder. Mumbling in his sleep, the hikari snuggles closer to my white-haired companion, arms snaking forward and locking securely around the yami's waist. Bakura jerks slightly at this, not used to such affectionate gestures. I watch as the thief tentatively reaches around the teen's shoulders, pulling the sleeping form closer. This action is rewarded with a contented sigh from the slumbering Yugi whose face is now graced by a small smile. Bakura's eyes rise to meet mine through the mirror, a euphoric grin forming on his face as I wink.

(Honda's POV)

"Really, man, you should get some rest," I advise, trying not to sound like I'm lecturing. "Staying awake all night isn't going to do any good."

Jounouchi nods sullenly, staring at our reflections in the mirrored walls of the elevator. He finally came inside after gentle coaxing from Anzu, Yami, and myself. The others glance at one another solemnly—save Otogi who's idly smoothing his ebony hair into place whilst looking haughtily at his reflection. The elevator chimes, announces our arrival on the second floor. I sigh, the dice master and I departing as the doors glide open. Just as the doors are about to shut, I place my foot in their path, reaching back inside the room and placing a hand on my best bud's trembling shoulder.

"It's going to be all right, man. Get some rest," I repeat quietly before releasing him and taking a step back, allowing the silver doors to slide shut.

I awaken with a jolt, eyes blurred with sleep. "Eh? Wha? Who?"

I thought I heard a thump. My room is dark and quiet; the moonlight casting an other-worldly glow across the sand-colored carpet. I draw the sheets up to my shoulders, exhaling deeply. Must've been a dream.

I shoot straight up at the loud bang coming from directly overhead, followed by muffled voices. Shouting.

"What in the name of Ra?" I mutter in exasperation, reaching for the phone on the desk next to my bed to call security to shut up whoever is so rudely interrupting my sleep...

My eyes widen in shock, fully awake, when I recognize two of the yelling voices. Jounouchi. Yugi.

"Oh shit!" I swear, jumping out of bed and dashing out of my room in nothing but my boxers. As I run for the elevator, a nearby door opens, a groggy, tussle-haired Otogi sticking his head out.

"What the hell is going on?" he grumbles with a scowl, dark bags under sluggish emerald eyes. "Some people like to get a decent night's..."

"It's Jou and Yugi!" I pant, pressing the UP button repeatedly with my finger, wincing as another loud crash comes from above.

The dice master is fully awake now, hurrying over in a blue bathrobe right as the doors finally slide open.

"Stupid thing!" I growl, pressing the button for the doors to close and then the button for the third floor. "Come on! Come on!"

Otogi smirks wryly, leaning idly against a wall as the doors leisurely slide shut. "Would've been quicker to just take the stairs."

(Bakura's POV)

"This is crazy," Yugi murmurs as he and I lie on our backs next to one another on the still-made bed in his room, staring at the white canopy above. "How exactly am I supposed to break this news to everybody?—given the fact that they don't even know you're back yet..."

I grin hopefully, folding my arms behind my head. "What they don't know can't hurt them."

Unfortunately, Yugi disagrees. "I can't keep this from them, Bakura. It's just...I don't know! It feels wrong to keep something like this from them."

"Why? Because they'd disapprove?" I ask, unintended contempt lining my words. I blink in surprise when Yugi's suddenly sitting astride me, an adoring sparkle in his light violet eyes.

"No. Because something so important to me shouldn't have to be a secret," he whispers before leaning close and pressing his lips lightly against mine, fingers tightening from where they are curled in the folds of my shirt.

When he moves back after a short moment, I smirk. "Oh is that how you want to play, is it?"

"Ack!" he squeals as I flip us over in one swift movement; myself now on top. "Ba-Bakura!" Yugi laughs as I waste no time, heatedly lavishing his smooth neck with my tongue and lips.

"Before...you even think about...telling them," I say between planted kisses and nips, "Why don't we do something worth not telling?"

Yugi makes no objections.

(Jounouchi's POV)

I can't sleep. Not when I know what's going on—what Yug an' Mai are keeping from me. Sitting on the edge of my bed, hands covering my face, I take a few deep breaths in an attempt to compose myself. I know what I need to do.

Standing shakily to my feet, I walk noiselessly across the room; heart pounding like thunder within the confines of my chest. Leaving the door ajar, I make my way down the long vacant hallway with its seemingly unending lines of doors. It feels like I'll never get there, yet all too soon I'm standing outside his room near the far end.

'Just do it, Jounouchi. You've gotta be strong about this. Tell him y'know about him and Mai. Ask him why he's been encouraging you to date her while simultaneously doing so himself. You deserve an explanation at the very least...if not an apology,' I tell myself, raising a trembling hand to knock.

It freezes mere inches from the door, an icy chill shooting through my body as a rousing, lust-filled moan echoes from within the room beyond. My body turns to lead, tremulous and cold. They wouldn't...they couldn't!

(Yugi's POV)

"Gods!" I gasp as his teeth and tongue attack my nipples; having already been stripped of my shirt.

While he continues his ministrations, I can only lie on my back in a daze; moaning when he sensuously grinds his hips against mine through our pants. Bakura's breath is heavy as he runs his hands over me adoringly, taking his time worshipping every inch of my body. Unbelievably turned-on, I grow impatient, reaching up and ripping his shirt open, the buttons flying over the bed as they're torn from the fabric.

Bakura chuckles, amusement playing in his gorgeous dangerous eyes. "Eager, are we?"

"Maybe I am. And if you don't hurry up..."

"What's this? Is Yugi making threats?" he smirks, eyes gleaming.

I grin mischievously. "As a matter of fact: I am."

Sharp white teeth flash when the moonlight catches them. Pale fingers lightly curl around my throat in a teasing warning. "Well then, it looks like I'll just have to maul you."

"That's enough!"

Bakura and I both jerk as none other than Jounouchi charging in, hurtling the door open, eyes wild. The thief's fingers tighten around my neck in surprise, to which I choke, my hands reaching up to move them. My blonde friend is in a state of shock for but a moment, panic taking hold of him when he realizes just who's in the room with me...on my bed...partially disrobed...all but strangling me...

Shit.

"You—you're back!" Jounouchi states in a quavering voice, pointing a shaking finger at the flabbergasted yami atop me. "Y-you...!" His eyes dart to where my hands are struggling to remove Bakura's fingers from around my neck. "YAMI!!!"

The next thing I know, Jounouchi has tackled Bakura, the two of them tumbling off the bed onto the floor and continuing to struggle there. I roll onto my hands and knees, coughing as my airway is reopened. Recovering in seconds, I turn to find the two skirmishing on the floor, Bakura having managed to pin Jounouchi down on his back, holding the blonde's wrist in one hand above his head, other hand on my friend's throat as the thief straddles him.

"Leggo of me, you bastard! Let...go!"

"Bakura, don't hurt him!" I plead, rising shakily to my feet.

"Mustn't I?" he snarls, glaring down at the blonde who's thrashing back and forth violently in a vain attempt to free himself. "Let it be noted that I'm not the one who started this."

"I know, Kura," I smile, eased at knowing my new lover won't harm my friend.

Jounouchi's eyes shoot to me in wonder and confusion. "What...?"

"Yugi! Jou!"

Oh no.

I watch in horror as Bakura's body goes crashing into the wall by a neon blast of Shadow magic; Jounouchi scampering on his hands and knees towards the doorway through which Otogi and Honda have just entered. I pay no attention to them, rushing forward to impede Yami who's standing before Bakura, violet flames flickering about him. The thief is panting, dazed slightly from the attack; leaning his back against the wall for support to stand.

"I should have known it was your presence I was sensing around here the past few nights," Yami hisses, hands clenched at his sides twitching. "And here you are: attacking my hikari..."

"Yami..." I begin nervously; suddenly feeling dreadfully intimidated by the power surrounding my darker half. He's really quite frightening when he's angry.

If Bakura is disconcerted, he doesn't show it; his signature evil grin spreading across his lips revealing pointed canines. "What? No 'how have you been's' or 'did you miss me's'? Really Pharaoh, I expected better manners from you."

"You bastard!" My heart skips a beat when Bakura dodges another bolt of Shadow powers, Yami advancing on him once again. "How dare you!—how dare you come in here and attack Yugi! I'll make certain this time that you...!"

"Yami stop!" I barge in, stepping in between him and the thief. "I can explain."

My darker half's eyes narrow. "What are you talking about?"

"How about the fact that the whole lot of you has completely the wrong idea about the situation." We all turn to find Mai in the doorway wearing a very revealing lavender nightie, hands on her barely covered hips. Anzu stands behind her, wide blue eyes gaping at us all in confusion and fright .

"Mai!" Jounouchi exclaims, seeming uncertain about whether he's happy to see her or not.

She rolls her eyes, strutting forward confidently. "All right. Time to get everyone up to date. Yugi found the Millennium ring a few days ago. Bakura's back and is my friend now; so let me state now that I will decapitate whomever so chooses to try and harm him," she adds sending a dumbfounded Yami a haughty look. "Yugi and I have been taking turns skipping out on you guys to spend time with him..."

"B-but Mai! The guy hasn't changed!" Jounouchi protests from the doorway, taking a step forward. "I just walked in here to...!"

"Barged in would be a better word," Bakura mutters under his breath, to which the whole group—save Mai and me—send him death glares.

"I just walked in here to find the bastard on top of Yugi. The creep was stranglin' him!" Jounouchi announces viciously; upon hearing this, Yami turns back to Bakura, flames dancing in his eyes.

Mai snorts, strolling over to me and Bakura who are both watching her—our savior and guide at the moment. "Stop a moment and take a look at these two. Kura's shirt has been torn open. Yugi's missing his shirt...and those don't look like strangle marks on Yugi's neck and chest," Mai adds gesturing towards the red marks on my throat and nipples where Bakura had been sucking and nibbling my skin. My face flushes bright red at this, as does everyone else's excluding Mai herself.

"You tried to rape my hikari?!" Yami all but howls, ready to commit murder.

"Idiot! What do those red marks all over Kura's neck look like? I've never heard of a victim sucking on their rapist's neck," Mai cuts in with a roll of her violet eyes.

"Then...then what...?" Anzu begins amidst the bewildered group in the doorway.

"Ha! They're fucking. I was partially wrong! Yugi was fucking someone but it wasn't the bitch!" Otogi laughs, smacking his leg.

No one else seems to find humor in the situation.

I quirk an eyebrow. "Who said I was with Mai?"

"Yes who?" said girl growls, whipping around to a red-faced crowd. "Anyone like to step forward?" No takers.

"Yugi..." I turn to find Yami staring at me with wide eyes; so many emotions whizzing behind them. Bafflement. Anger. Betrayal. Fear. No curiosity. No acceptance. "I...is it true?"

I glance over my shoulder at Bakura who's watching me with waiting brown eyes, uncertainty knitted in his brow. Not hesitating, I smile softly, reaching over and entwining my fingers with his.

"Yes. I love him," I state for them all to hear—for Bakura to hear.

There's a long silence in which they all are holding their breaths, gaping at me; waiting to wake up from this nightmare. Bakura's hand squeezes mine reassuringly as we wait for their response. I swear, even my heart has stopped...

"Hey I found them! They're down here!"

We all jolt, turning around to find none other than Marik Ishtar standing in the doorway, black leather pants and purple belly shirt. Moments later his yami Malik appears behind him, uninterested. This quickly changes when they both spot the no doubt out of the ordinary scene before them. I turn to Yami who reddens in response. Marik scratches the back of his head awkwardly.

"Erm...did we come at a bad time?"


Ah, impeccable timing, no?

Malik: -eyeing suspiciously- Are you gonna kill me in this one?

Ferris: Nah. No one dies in this one.

readers and characters: Le gasp!

I know I know: shocking. Seriously, I'm replanning Crimson and BTBT...don't want to kill so many (if any) characters...

...besides Malik of course.

Malik: I KNEW IT!

-grins- I couldn't resist.

Marik: Great! Do you know how long it takes to calm him down?!

Ferris: -smiles- Reviewsies!