Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! However, I am claiming OCs I might have. I only accept constructive criticism.

Metempiricism

Chapter 14

Will You Spend the Night?

Isis gasped at the contact and as quickly as it came if disappeared. That was what he believed was rightfully his? Here Isis was sure she knew exactly what Yami was angered by, when in fact she had no idea. Nor did she have any idea how his 'revenge' would be taken. A kiss—had he just kissed her? There was so much she wanted to say but between the wine and utter fear of ruining the moment, she stood wide-eyed before him. She slowly raised her hand and pressed her fingers against her mouth, as if she'd find physical evidence that he had just kissed her. But none was there and she needed more—she needed to know and see more.

"Atem..."

"Spare me."

Yami took in the wide-eyes and bewildered expression and felt his heart drop to the balls of his feet. Rejection washed over him in a sensation akin to waterboarding; his breath caught in his lungs, his nose couldn't bring in enough air and his vision was shot. Yet he was still very much alive with no hope of true asphyxiation. Isis had rejected him. He had foolishly given away more than what was needed. She knew now that his attraction for her went beyond friendly fondness or professional appreciate. Isis wasn't an idiot. She could easily put the pieces together that feelings were involved—involved from creation rather than an alcohol conception. When weren't Yami's feelings involved in something? Being as close to him as she was, she had always known this. Even during the days of his ghostly tenure he had found it easy to show certain feelings to her. Why was he so ridiculous?

In a show of nostalgia, his cape flared behind him as he went around the main display to escape the embarrassment that dared to crush his pride. But a hand tangled in his wrap and he heard a distinct rip in the room. He reached back and rested his arm atop the fabric, in hopes of saving it from further destruction. Gripping it hard, he jerked at the elbow and her body thumped against his back. Spinning around he readied himself for an onslaught of abusive slurs when he found the last thing he expected. Isis Ishtar had tears gathering below her pupils and the smile that curved her lips almost appeared as some show of joy.

"A..Atem..." She sniffled as she tangled her fingers in his wavy hair. She couldn't even speak as she pressed her lips against his. A series of almost worshipping pecks speckled his lips and cheeks and he felt his heart lift to his throat.

With almost shaking hands, he reached up and gripped her wrists. "Isis...Isis stop..." She was drunk, she was rebounding and he was single—he would not be used no matter how good it felt at the moment.

"Why?" She kissed him again in almost defiant manner. Pressing her forehead to his, her eyes shifted down at an angle into the display case. Being this close and making eye contact gave her an odd sense of apprehension. "Do you not wish to kiss me?" Her emotions were once more trying to get the best of her, but it felt okay to lose control in front of Yami; but why?

"I wish...I wish to do so much more..." His fingers tangled in her hair and he pressed his forehead more firmly to hers, closing his eyes. Yami felt the vehemence of so many thoughts he had buried so poorly in the shallow grave that was his heart; slowly they crawled back to life as zombies. Sluggishly, angrily and mindlessly they nibbled at his tongue to say things that he wasn't ready to say—comfortable to say.

"Then...then do more..." She closed her eyes and grazed her lips against his but he turned his head, thus she caught his cheek.

"...No..." He took her wrists in each hand and laid a chaste kiss to the pulse points. "Your heart beats below my lips and your skin feels soft beneath my finger-tips...but my mind dares me not to indulge in this dream or even wish for these things unforeseen."

The poetry thumped against her chest. Isis was now slightly perplexed and worried for something that was pending inside of her. "Ay?"

"It's from a poem I wrote...about..." Yami allowed his words to trail on. For he didn't want to tell her it was obviously about her, nor did he want to tell her he had just made it up. This moment reminded him of how past introspection had led to alliterations, prose and odes. This had been the first time he had verbalized one without paper playing a hand in it first.

"About?"

He didn't say anything. Instead he gently pushed her away and ran a hand through his hair, as he rounded the counter. He leaned forward on the glass; elbows propped up on it with his hands up, and dropped his head. His hair hung before him; a veil hiding him from the situation. "Isis?"

"Yes?"

"There's something I need to know." He gently lifted his head and eyed Isis in an impassioned manner.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Her stomach started to bubble and her palms became sweaty. That pending sensation was reaching its end.

"Why...Kaiba?" It just came out. He couldn't stop the two words nor did he want to. He needed to know. He needed to hear that he wasn't being used and didn't appear convenient because she had drunk plenty. He needed to hear that Kaiba had always been someone who would never be what she needed. He needed to hear that Kaiba could not fulfill her in ways that made her content as a woman and as a girlfriend. He needed to hear that HE was needed before HIM. He wanted it so bad he balled up his fists and rested them on the glass. "Why?"

"I...I..." Had her voice always been this small? She cleared her throat and began again, projecting more. "I was afraid..." Her stomach gave another flip and one of her lungs expanded more than the other just slightly.

His eyes widened at such a confession. "Of what?" His heart pounded in his chest and he took a breath to still the sensations coursing through him.

"...Of you..."

He was more than surprised. "Me?"

"Na'am..."

"Why, I?"

Her lips trembled with the confession, "Because you're...you're Atem..." She could almost hear her ancestors' words of disapproval at what she was daring to speak about.

"Does who I am, disturb you?" Was she rejecting the very essence of who he was? Insecurity dared to push him to depression or worse: anger.

"No...It's who you could be to me?"

He took a few steps from around the counter, "Tell me who that could be Isis." His fist clenched tighter. "Tell me."

It was her turn to stay silent. Isis attempted to collect her words but all she could hear was the condemnation from her Clan. She could hear the hiss of people past that didn't believe in the idea of her and romance. She could hear Kaiba's stinging words of reprisal from the alleged mistakes she made. Walls shot up around her in cold unforgiving stone and Yami was no longer seen and his words garbled. This crippling understanding that she was more than just alone; this 'on your own' empathy surrounded her like a cool mist and she gripped her shoulders. Her chest grew tight and her stomach dared to dispel the wine she had consumed. The room was too small, too hot and too crowded. Her rib cage was attached to some pulley that worked off a crank. Her insecurities created a click with each thought. Not pretty enough—click. Not smart enough—click. At this rate her bones would be joined in the middle, before snapping loose and exploding from her back. Offering wings of pain and the flight of death. Not good enough—click, click.

Before she knew what she was doing, she had turned on her heel and was heading towards the locked shop door. Gently pressing against the bar across the glass, and finding it didn't move, her actions grew more frantic. She fumbled with the deadbolt and found the other locks had been secured. Not having a key she fled that door and went for the side one that led to the alley. The door swung back immediately and the sting of the night air didn't compare to the brick of the home that scraped her hands, as she tried not to trip over the small landing of the door. She caught herself successfully and continued running, grazing at the dumpster. Why was she so unable to balance herself? Why couldn't she breathe? Why was her head spinning? What if she passed out? She helplessly yelped at the hand that grabbed her by the back of her top, but she didn't stop trying to run.

Yami shifted his weight forward and nearly tackled Isis to the ground. The two fell into the plush grass of the Moto's fenced in side lawn, with Yami landing on top of her. He straddled her body and looked down at the pitiful sight. Isis lie on her belly, limbs curled to the side; her eyes pinched at the corners as if to wring out the now dripping lids. Her hands gripped the sides of her top; bunching the fabric beyond wrinkles and her skirt bunched around her thighs. Air puffed around her mouth and nose in hard exhalations and her whole body shook as if being electrocuted. What was happening!? Was she sick? Was she having an allergic reaction to something? Maybe this was more serious than he knew.

"Isis!" That booming commanding tone Yami hadn't used since dueling drama echoed from his lips through the dark lawn and against the high wood fence. He tried to roll her over but she wouldn't budge. "What's happening?! Tell me so that I may help!"

"You have done enough," she gasped as she willed her body to stop panicking. It was going into a state of emotional shock over a positive prospect—the idea of Yami actually...actually...actually not needing her but wa—she gagged on bile that shot up her throat. She had never been so fearful in her life. "Leave me here...please..."

Yami could tell how nausea was crippling her. Her brown skin was flushing under the night lights and her face became pale. "No!"

"Leave me as they all do."

"Isis..." He was shocked at her words as well as the discouraging tones. He had a strong feeling of what was happening to her and he refused to leave her outside, in the cold, without offering an alternative to her suffering.

He stood and removed his cape before using it to swaddle Isis the best to his ability. Reaching down, he braced his arms under her body. In a show of lower body strength, he lifted with his knees and hoisted Isis against his chest. He carried her back into the house and headed up the stairs. He quickly shuffled through the now empty living room and up the next set of stairs to where Yugi's room and his once room sat. Gently he turned the knob of the partially abandoned room and came into the untouched quarters. The bed was still made and looked like new sheets had been placed on it. The few knick-knacks he hadn't taken with him were still lined along the desk and dresser. Certain posters still clung to the walls and this sense of nostalgia came over him. But now was not the time for reminiscing. Instead he gingerly placed Isis on the bed and exited the room with a gentle click of the door.

Isis lie on the red sheets of the dark room and wished her heart didn't go from pounding in pain to fluttering in damsel delight. In her darkest most embarrassing moment Yami had refused to leave her side, but even taking it a step further, he had carried her away to a space where she could recuperate. The smell of his cape coupled with the warmth of his bare skin had left her in awe of being so close to him. She could still feel the warmth of his pectoral on her arm. However where was that warmth now? She swallowed down the painful loneliness that wanted to overtake her from the idea that he had just left her. Was this a repeat of what has happened before? Her mind wandered to a specific mixer dinner downtown; she was assuaged but abandoned. She then switched to waking up outside of her office building; someone close to her had come to her aid, but the person she needed was nowhere to be found. Was history repeating itself?

"Here..." She nearly jumped out of her skin at the deep voice in the darkness. "Sorry if I scared you; were you asleep?"

"Um...no..."

"Oh..." He sat on the edge of the bed beside her, "Here..."

The alleyway lights caught the glass of water and left florescent enhancers in the clear liquid. She reached for it and slowly sat up, drinking it down; embarrassed by her loud gulps and hard breathing. She didn't know she was so thirsty. The water was almost exhausting to drink but very much enjoyed. She set the glass against her legs and stared where the glass sat, empty, on her lap. "Thank you..."

"Isis..."

"..." She didn't look up.

"Do I need to request an audience with your eyes? I'm not against old fashion ways."

She chuckled nervously before shyly looking up at him. "Of course not..." Her eyes had adjusted to the dark room and she could see Yami's warm eyes bubbling around his iris in a lava flow of fervor. The way he looked at her set her cheeks fire hot and she suddenly felt insecure about her legs being so bare from the slits. "It's hard for me to give you the eye contact you deserve, when you look at me so...so strongly."

"'Strongly?'" He blinked once, "What is this strong look you speak of?"

"You look at me with almost new eyes..."

"Look at me as I look at you."

"I cannot."

"Lay?"'

"I'm not familiar enough with it to imitate it."

"Or perhaps these looks have always been here..." He took the glass from her and eyed it before setting it on the side table. "Maybe you've been blind to my...'looks'...but I have never been blind to yours..."

Isis looked away feeling the fire return to her face. "You love to tease me Atem?"

His devastatingly charming chuckle rocked the tension in a deep rumple of pacification. "I prefer to see you flustered than faltering." He scooted further back on the bed, reached for her legs and lifted them across his lap. Rubbing his hands up and down the firm calves and knees he quietly inquired, "Does this happen often?"

"Malik would at times."

"Beg pardon?"

Isis blinked in understanding, "You weren't talking about someone touching my legs were you?"

"Not at all." The pads of his fingers found a place in her calf that left her legs boneless. "I was speaking of the unease that manifested itself into a show of aggression on the functions of your body as well as the content state of your disposition."

"Does this happen often?"

"What?"

"Taking something as basic in wording and disheartening as a panic attack into something poetic and almost charming?"

Yami made an almost cute 'oh' face and looked down at the pretty legs he was thoroughly enjoying touching. He then raised his chin at a learned angle and allowed his eyes to narrow in a show of haughty know-how. "I never took myself as such an anapestic raconteur until you all continuously averred these things to be proper."

Scoffing in more amusement than annoyance she spoke in a very concise tone filled with a playful jab to knowing a secret never spoken. "I don't know what's worse: how wonderfully annoying you can sound when being condescending or how sincere your sarcasm comes off."

Hanging his head forward the ex-royal dared to giggle as a found out child. The problem was Yami didn't know how to giggle; but that wasn't his fault. Someone carrying such a heavy baritone as he did was not gifted with giggles as average to higher pitched voices was. So instead it came off more as comically dotted shaky rumble; as if he was growling a joke in Morse code. The oddly 'cute' sound made Isis grin from ear to ear and when his eyes lifted and met hers, he was smiling just as broad. His hand ran back and forth across a leg and he murmured, "I have missed these moments Isis. I enjoy our back-and-forth."

"I've missed it too," she whispered. She reached out and placed a hand atop of his traveling one.

Taking the hand in his he continued in his subdued tone, "Then show to me what I have missed." Her face slid into a neutral expression. He hated how much that face could scramble his thoughts. "Tell me what has happened to you?"

"Many things; some long before your physical humanity." Why was she being so honest? What was it about hushed conversation in the dark that made you feel truthful?

Yami could tell he was running the risk of making her uncomfortable so he settled for the present. "What caused the assault tonight?"

"I...I feel foolish with what the answer is."

"Is it because of me kissing you?"

She bit her lip and nodded.

"Would it had occurred with anyone just kissing you?"

She shook her head.

"Is it because I am who I am?"

She nodded.

"Then could you answer me this: will it happen again if I were to kiss you?"

Immediately her heart began to pound in her chest and she sugar-coated the response. "Maybe. These moments have minds all their own..."

"Mmm." He nodded running his hands gently down one leg before crossing to the other and working his way up. "Does my touch make you uncomfortable?"

"La'." The intimate touch and positioning caused her heart to flutter once more. The fear and nausea that wanted to come with it were brushed aside by Yami's soothing hands.

"Kwayis. Aibou has warned me of my comfortable nature when it comes to touching." He moved to kneading her calves and working down to her feet. "It's important that I respect personal space."

"Why were you so quick to invade my own?"

He stopped. "Is that your kind way of asking me to stop?"

"La'; I was simply curious."

He let out a long sigh and continued the impromptu massage, "I have learned that I wish to help those closest to me in any way possible. When the problem cannot be seen, held, or easily answered, I take to physical means of healing. I do not have the power to soothe the wounds of your mind, but I can relieve the tension of your body." Popped cherry lulled in her direction and his tongue peeked out from between his lips, lapping at the genetically cut orifice. His face then cracked into a tickled expression. "Any part of your body..."

She played with the fake ivy of her costume, "You couldn't even follow through with teasing me this time."

"Because I found I was teasing myself too—that's not fair to either us."

Isis took in his words in great attention and felt her heart pound hard in her chest. This evening was driving her crazy. They were talking as old flames than disjointed friends. The flirting, the looks, the touching—all of it was driving her up a wall and this wall dared to fall upon her and crush her chest. She was in no place to play this game with Yami. No matter how much she wanted to, it was still too soon. She needed to be understood before she could fully engage as a potential—she couldn't think it. She needed to change the topic to something related but not so specific to the topic of Yami's relation to her. But he had other ideas.

"Does Kaiba ever invoke these attacks?"

Why was he talking about him in present tense? Even though she claimed to have broken up with him, she could still easily think about his past actions. Was Yami really wondering if she still thought about him and pondered on him? She needed to stop looking so deep into the question and just answer. "He has..."

"Was it because of who he was?"

"It was because of who he wasn't."

"I wish to be frank," he suddenly declared. Yami was getting bolder and bolder as the conversation went on. He was starting to feel comfortable on a first level basis with Isis. He wasn't ready to share his deepest darkest secrets, but he was willing to scrape their surfaces in a roundabout way. But after the answer she just gave, he knew he had to be straight forward with at least one question. "Why Kaiba? Why were you with him?"

"I..." She paused for quite some time before she cleared her throat, "You are familiar with the less than historical version of Pocahontas?"

He chuckled at the random comment and nodded, "I am as are many."

"Well...that—what...that's how I felt."

"Felt?"

"Yes...with Kaiba..."

"Were he the mischievous raccoon or the parental humming-bird?"

"Atem..." She cracked a smile and looked down at the soft comforter. "Kaiba was Kokoum—strong, focused, serious and well, safe. I knew what I was getting into but I just wouldn't accept it. The heart of a warrior is not easily changed." Her eyes glossed over in the dark room and she was hoping that Yami didn't notice.

"Now," his tone relayed a serious nature. She was sure he wanted to know more and dig deeper. "Did you feel that you should look once more, just around the river bend; beyond the shore, somewhere past the sea?"

Isis' head slowly turned in his direction and she was met with a very serious face almost set in stone. Yami appeared not only justified but as if he hadn't just quoted a Disney song that she felt he shouldn't know. Hell, a song she shouldn't know as well. Couple that with the kiddy tunes being a response to what could have been a tense statement just baffled her. Licking her lips didn't stop the spread of her mouth into a smile. Spying Yami's own stretching grin didn't stop her from laughing either. Soon the tense atmosphere was gone completely and replaced with warm laughter shared between friends. Appropriately it died down and the two sat together in a comfortable silence.

Yami then patted her legs and removed them from his lap. He walked over to the dresser and dug around before retrieving a pair of gray sweats. "I believe you're staying the night?"

Isis was reminded it was Halloween when she took in Yami's nearly naked Spartan costume. "Well I—"

"As your—" He refused to label what he was to her in hopes of keep that open. He shook his head and cleared his throat, gripping the drawer top with strictly his fingers, "As someone who cares deeply for you, I cannot allow you to attempt to traverse Domino at this hour nor allow you to be home alone in your emotional state."

"You want me to stay?"

Yami looked back at Isis at the almost excited quality to her question. She was now playing with the slit of her skirt with a bashful look. Who knew she was so shy, especially around him? He found it kind of...cute? A small smile moved his mouth and he nodded, "Yes, yes I do."

"Well then I...I suppose I should stay?" She shrugged.

Smiling, Yami dug around in the dresser more and found a pair of old black sweats and a tank-top. He folded them up neatly and placed them beside her. "Here, you can sleep in these." He sat down at the end of the bed and began pulling his sandals off. Suddenly he paused and looked over his shoulder. "My apologies..."

"Hm?"

"I almost stripped myself bare before you. You've had enough excitement for one night."

"Have I?"

Yami's brow shot up into his hairline and he almost dared to blush. "Oh my..."

"I—no! I didn't mean it like that. I mean that—" She stumbled over her words until Yami was once more chuckling good-naturedly.

"I understand; it was just oddly placed words." Standing up, he gathered up his items and retrieved his cloak, "I'll go dress in Yugi's room. Feel free to change while I'm away." He walked over to the door and exited.

Isis cautiously stood up and looked around the room as if looking for something. She was nervous, extremely nervous. It's not as if anything would happen between them—she paused in picking up the clothes. What if something did happen? She shook her head. It couldn't possibly happen after her meltdown and Yami attempting to lighten the mood. She nodded to herself and went to removing her costume. She folded it up neatly and placed it on the dresser. She then stepped into the sweats and found them to fit tighter than she anticipated. Pulling the tank-top on, she was met with the same affect but a bit more extreme then she had liked. Before she could consider a plan of action, there was a soft knock on the door.

"Isis?"

"Come in."

Yami poked his head in and looked her up and down. "I suppose my old clothes were no match for your more than volumized body. Hmmm?" He didn't hide he was checking her out and she shifted uncomfortably before him. "I didn't know you were so coy Isis."

"I had forgotten how playful you could be." Coming fully into the room, Yami simply wore a pair of slippers and sweats. Isis was glad it was dark, because she couldn't see his body too clearly. His barely there costume had made it hard enough to focus on his face. She was sure the shy behavior would continue if she could make out every definition now.

"I got you an extra toothbrush if you'd like to get ready for bed."

"Oh, that would be wonderful."

"Come on." Deftly he reached out and took her hand in his warm one, leading her down the hall. The hold felt natural and almost as if it had happened time and time before. "The party is coming to an end."

"Oh really?" She was glad for the conversation since she was over thinking him holding her hand.

The two came up on quite an active bathroom scene. Mai stood before the sink typing up her bouffant do into a messy ball-bun. It was odd to see the usually stylish woman in a simple pair of sky-blue, white polka-dotted pajama shorts and a white spaghetti strapped shirt. The box of makeup wipes next to her gave evidence to her now bare face. Mai without makeup didn't show a hideous face, but a pale complexion that dared to come off innocent? The two stood in the darkness of the hallway, gawking through the doorway of this new person they were seeing. Isis was waiting for her to put on a pair of heels and her signature red lipstick. While Yami finally got to see the Mai, Joey so ardently spoke about.

Joey, who was sitting on the toilet only in his boxers, was babbling on about something. A glass of water and deliciously stacked deli sandwich was sitting on a plate next to him. "Mai...Mai..." He reached out and grabbed her wrist—free of all jewelry and the last lingering smell of her expensive perfume.

"Yes Joey?" She lifted the sandwich from the plate and waved it tauntingly before his nose and mouth. Immediately you could hear rapid sniffing before he took a hug bite; his eyes closed and his mouth still trying to make conversation, despite the yummy distraction.

Chewing thoughtfully he asked, "Why...why won't you—you Mai Valentine, marry me, Joey Wheeler?"

She tilted her head back and rolled her eyes. Obviously this drunken banter wasn't new to Mai. "Because you're lame?—I don't know..." She shrugged shoving more food into his mouth.

He frowned in an almost angry way as he chewed more of the sandwich, "Nah, nah...be honest with me." His hands came up and braced her thighs pulling her closer, "Why won't you marry me?" He snuggled his head against her stomach and continued to chew with his eyes closed.

"There, there," Mai playfully soothed as she patted the top of his head. "How about this: finish this sandwich and a glass of water, and we'll get married now?"

His eyes lit up, "Right now?!"

"Right now..." Handing him the sandwich she patted his head and scooted the glass of water closer to him on the counter.

"All right," he grinned around his food. "I get a sandwich, some water and my dream girl."

Mai placed her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes, but the pink hue to the naked face told otherwise. "Oh Joseph..." Glancing to the side she noticed Isis and Yami in the doorway...holding hands? "Where did you two come from?" She raised a perfectly arched brow.

Yami slyly dropped her hand and came in, hopping up on the counter to sit. "Isis decided to stay the night. I was retrieving clothes for her."

"That's great but you two have been gone longer than that." Mai moved closer to the sink where her toiletry bag sat still unzipped. She dug around it before pulling her hand out with a small bottle of face wash. "I'm sure you were Yami..." She looked at him as an older sister would her mischievous younger brother, "I'm sure. You. Were." Yami returned it with a neutral expression while Isis was stone-faced. Mai took in her dear gal-pal and eyed her face. She scooted the makeup wipes towards her. "Want some Isis, or do you usually go to bed glittery?"

Isis had completely forgotten about her costume makeup and quickly moved past Yami to pick up the box. "Thank you so much. I would have woken up in a horrible state if you hadn't of mentioned it." She pulled one free and began rubbing along her eyes. Mai looked at herself closer in the mirror and decided to grab another as well. "Where are the others Mai?"

Mai smoothed her cloth against her eyes and eyebrows, "Serenity took Tristan home and headed home herself. They have this thing tomorrow morning. Yugi and Tea are making sure all the stragglers are sober enough to drive home or have a cab."

Yami leaned back against the glass of the mirror and crossed his arms. "Aibou's so very considerate."

"That he is," Isis agreed as she took away her Mother Nature look. Glancing over to Yami, she found him intently watching her do the task as if it was magic. She looked back at the mirror and found Mai giving her a very knowing look. "What?"

"You two are so ridiculous." She aggressively went after the lingering eyeliner and mascara staining her eyes.

"What do you mean?" Yami asked.

"You're staring at her like some googly-eyed school boy." Waving the dirtied cloth Mai took a sassy stance and continued, "If you think you stand a chance with a real woman, then bring your A game Yami."

"Oh my..." Isis mumbled to herself.

"I don't work on any other level," Yami haughtily returned with a small smirk. Mai returned it with almost a matching one.

"Oooooooooooooooooo," Joey suddenly instigated from the toilet area. "Yam' isn't the 'King of Games' for nothin'! That's why he's my best man at our weddin' later Mai."

"Of course Joey," Mai responded distractedly.

"No! No, it'll be Tristan. He and I are like brothers."

"Oh yeah Joey..."

"Wait...it should be Yug'. He's my main man. Yeah...Yug' will be the best man." He bit into the last bits of the sandwich and nodded, "Yeah...Yug' it is."

"Whatever you want dear..." She was hurriedly washing her face by this point.

"Your best man is not important Joey," Yami began with the intent of participating in his drunken slurs, "But who will stand beside you the day you say 'I do.'"

"That's wonderful Yami," Isis replied genuinely.

"Isn't that what you told Joey when he was trying to decide on a best man?" Mai asked as she massaged soap into her pores.

Yami bowed his head, "It is."

"Damn Yam'," the blonde shook his head as he held his glass of water as if making a toast, "I'm havin' déjà vu like a mother fucker right about now." Mai chuckled at his bewilderment and laughed more into the towel drying her face.

"I also told him if he could capture Mai Valentine's heart, truly miracles of love are real."

Isis sniffed into a cut off laugh at the playful glare of her blonde friend. "You two are a puzzle; confusion when assembled but make a lovely picture."

"Save it Isis," Mai returned sticking her tongue out. "You two think you're funny but we'll see who the real puzzles around here are." Her words were left hanging in the air as she finished cleaning her face. Going back over to Joey who had obediently finished his sandwich and water, she took his hands and helped him up. She braced her back against his chest and wrapped his arms around her neck. Crossing the long appendages at the wrists, she held on to his hands. He leaned on her, resting his head atop of hers.

"Where we goin'?"

"To get married, remember?"

"Oh that?" He leaned more into her, "Are we ready for that?"

"Eh, why not?" The blonde duo shuffled out the door and down the steps.

"Where are they headed?"

"The pull out couch in the living room; it's kind of their official unofficial scene when they spend the night." Yami was still intently watching her remove the makeup.

"Atem, why are you watching me like this? Does a woman removing her makeup fascinate you this much?"

"La'. But a beautiful woman removing makeup and becoming even more splendorous is quite the fascination." Yami's confidence was starting to slowly rebuild itself. The night hadn't been ideal in a traditional sense, but it had told him more about Isis and how she felt about him, than any frank words she could have said. His newly brewing thesis needed to be supported through extensive well written out ideas. These moments were those ideas. He was tired of hiding what he wanted to say to her in terms of compliments. It was funny how it was easier to tell her she was beautiful than say he was in—well, it was.

Isis gave a poised huff and tossed away her last cloth. "I believe the proverb goes: 'Beware of the one who flatters unduly; he will also censure unjustly.'"

"Hm, but another claims: 'A kind word can attract even the snake from his nest.'"

She leaned against the sink and crossed her arms, "Am I likened to that of a snake?"

"I have felt a venomous sting from that mouth."

Her face noticeably fell even though she knew he didn't mean harm by the words. That was the truth. She had hurt Yami by her lack of communication. She had chosen someone who didn't treat her well, over her best-friend who had never done a single wrong to her. "Atem, I just want to say that—"

"No need." He slid off the counter and brushed a sparkle from her hair. "You're tired and I don't want to exhaust you. Simply rest Isis; we have all the time to reconnect."

"Reconnect?"

"Na'am."

Isis was then led back down the hall to the bedroom from before. She crawled under the covers and lie stiff as a board on her back. She felt the bed move and suddenly this strong heat radiated from the other side of the bed. "Is there an electric blanket on that side?"

He chuckled, "No...I emit an almost frightening amount of heat when it's time for me to rest. I feel it's the magic you used to gift me this body."

She rolled over and was faced with Yami whose eyes were closed. His face was relaxed and those angular eyes were for once subdued. His mouth was slightly parted and his shoulder was up in a comforting, almost child-like snuggling lift. He looked so...so human. But that's what he was—a human. He was no longer the great Pharaoh of Egypt, the saver of the world or even a phantom of the past. He was Atem Yami Moto. At least, that's what the forged government papers Kaiba created and hacked into the system said. 'Kaiba...' She had tried her best not to think about him, but it had been hard. So many mistakes he made; so many mistakes she made. She shook her head getting upset all over again. She knew she would need to see Kaiba again; whether they were together or not, they needed to set things right. It was not in her nature to leave such ends frayed without trying to piece them back together. Isis knew she and Kaiba would most likely separate to never be friends. Settling onto her back, she took the weight of that realization; she lost an almost love and never had a friend.

Glancing over at Yami, she realized that there, just maybe, she had both.

PLEASE READ:

HAPPY NEW YEAR! To all of you who survived the Mayan apocalypse, learned about the conveniently 'found' new Mayan calendar, didn't give a damn either way or did as I did: danced into 2013 and got alcohol spilled on you multiple times by drunken dumbasses, then well...lost my train of thought. HAPPY NEW YEAR...AGAIN!

I said I was going to post this today and I did it! It's twenty till midnight and I beat the day. YEAH! So, who was fooled by the title and thought sexy time~ would happen? Well ha! Yet again the perverts showed themselves. LOL. I hope I didn't confuse too many on this chapter. It was a REAL challenge to write. Interactions had to be PERFECT as did foreshadowing. I hope you all got the idea of what I was trying to convey and if you didn't—no harm no foul. LOL.

Arabic Words:

Ay – What?

Na'am – Yes (Formal)

Lay – Why?

La' – No

Kwayis – Good

Posted especially for:

Scooby82101: Isis and Mai will always turn heads with what I view as their 'Yin and Yang' sexiness. I'm glad I kept you guessing because that's what this story is based on.

Anacaria: I'm glad you mentioned Isis making a move. Keep an eye on her—she's a thoughtful gal. (Wink)

Mangaanime: I love you too! But let's not rush into any serious commitments, aye? Just have fun with it. LOL. Just kidding. I appreciate the excitement and continued support. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter so much.

Simplydreamt: I STILL REE-MEHM-BUHRRR~ Why? Because I can. LOL.

Archlyte'Faerie: (BLUSH) I am so embarrassed by your enthusiasm! Thank you very much for the praise. It's nice to know that my writing can be validated by good readers. Thanks for the review. (Still blushing)

Fewfre: I needed some good luck going into 2013, so I played with superstitions. LOL.

Zoelle: Thank you so much for saying that. I have a (bad) habit of writing in more people than needed for the actual story focus, but I like atmosphere. I like interaction and to create a whole picture—a life; I'm glad you picked up on that and are digging it.

Tru Mel Meiko Mei Ling: I SO thought of you when Isis was shakin' what her mama was once bakin'. LOL. And Koda is awesome! She's one of my faves. (GASP) Did Melshums actually halfway accept 'the runt?!' I'll win you over yet. You know Yami loves to flutter his cape. Just how his damn jacket became a cape in duels, I had to play with it with the costume. You know how much I love Polarshipping. It's the reason I wrote them in for this chapter. I love writing them because they're such a realistic pair. You'll be team Tamiko 4Lyfe. LOL.

Still Stands: If I don't get one measly review, no new chapter, however if I do get one measly review, new chapter.

REVIEW!

Well I'm Out.