Author's Info: I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update. Life has been insane since last time. Between things with friends, Thanksgiving, a short-lived crush, and now finals, life is taking its own toll. I will be done with finals after this week, thankfully, and I have a bunch of ideas for where I'm going to go, not only with this story, but with The Void Between our Worlds and another story I started over a year ago and developed a new-found passion for (it's a crossover between Yu Yu Hakusho and Inuyasha called Legends of Moonlight Beauty). Thanks to all of you who read/favorited/messaged me, especially Jade the Grey, Azura Soul Reaver, ember-chan, Shiningheart of ThunderClan, yamiyugi4eva, Emily the evil one, Triva, and DaAmazingMeepers. Thank you so much for your patience. I promise I will update faster as soon as this week is over. More specific comments after.

The "what"s: I've been listening to music that gets me pumped for studying. Lately, this means Down by Jay Sean, Fireflies by Owl City, Sober by P!nk, Poker Face by Lady GaGa, and a few others. The only things going through my mind are things pertaining to finals or to my friends that I spend pretty much every minute studying with. It's chaos and confusion and then video games until my fingers bleed.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, and that's probably a good thing, since updates would be reliant upon life not deciding to play games with my head and then stress me out. All the same, I do own the twins, their father, and other OCs, as well as the current plotline.

Extra Note: Sorry about all the errors in the previous chapter. I rushed on that one, and it shows.

Chapter Twenty-Six

"Perhaps someone should help her. Yumi does rather like doing things on her own, but this will be much easier for her if she has help," Shinji hinted. He wanted to see if one of the two guys would go and help her, and he wanted an excuse to see how his daughters reacted to these men. He knew that it often wasn't the initial or even the conscious reactions one had to a person that determined how they would ultimately interact, but the subtle and subconscious reactions that could only be recognized if you knew to look for them.

Tsuki just looked at her father and sighed. She knew her father was trying to find out more about the guys she and her sister had brought home. She was also sure this was his way of pushing her into the kitchen so she wouldn't be able to intervene when he began questioning them. He had done so with all their friends in Tokyo, after all, especially the ones Yumi hung out with. Still, her going in there would just lead to her watching Yumi as she made the dessert. Sure, she did that most of the time when Yumi was cooking anyway, but that was more so she and her sister could talk than it was for her to help. Yumi was one of the most stubborn, independent-minded people she'd ever known. Besides, knowing Yumi, she had a lot on her mind at the moment and wouldn't want to talk much. She's rather be left alone.

Kaiba, on the other hand, had noticed how her father had directed his gaze at all three of them. He was clearly waiting to see who would offer to help her. No doubt he was trying to get an insight into their personalities by seeing who would accept. Still, this presented him with an interesting opportunity, and he knew which of these people he'd much rather spend his time with while he was stuck there.

"I'll help her," he said, inwardly smirking at the looks of shock on Yugi and Tsuki's faces. He turned and went into the room he had seen Yumi go into, ignoring the grin on her father's face. He walked in to see Yumi trying to reach something on a higher shelf, but there were things in the way and he knew she was just short enough she'd never be able to reach it. He rolled his eyes and went over to grab the pan with ease. He smirked when he saw her look over, no doubt to thank him, only to freeze in shock instead.

"Kaiba, what are you doing in here? I'm busy right now," she said irritably once she had regained her composure. She took the pan from him and went back to the counter where she had begun preparing the dough. "I can't afford to be distracted, so if you would please just return to the—"

"Yumi, why don't you let Kaiba help you?" he father asked as he walked into the kitchen. He had a feeling Yumi would try to push Kaiba out, so he figured he may as well ensure she wouldn't pull such a stunt. "He was the one that offered to help you, after all. I knew you could use some help, so I asked. This is a rather time-consuming dessert to make on your own, after all." He grinned when she glared at him. His daughter was well known for being stubborn and fiercely independent; she needed nudging, sometimes even shoving, to get her to accept anyone's help, especially after her mother . . .

Yumi sighed as she realized what was going through her father's mind and the pain she must be causing him. "I'm sorry, Father. You're right; I am being rather stubborn." Turning to Kaiba, she said, "Please forgive my rudeness. I was not aware you had offered to help me." She handed him a bowl. "If I give you the ingredients and their measurements, can you mix the dough? It has to be done by hand to be at its best, and that can get rather tiring when there are other things to be done as well."

Kaiba noticed the satisfied look on her father's face as he grabbed himself something to eat and left the room. Clearly he had only been there to ensure Yumi would not try to kick him out once again. He looked back to Yumi, who was beginning to peel and core apples. She had a thoughtful expression on her face, and her eyes betrayed the fact her thoughts were far from the present situation.

"Finally decided to return to your own planet?" he said mockingly, effectively snapping her attention back to the moment. She scowled; he smirked. He knew he had the upper hand, after all.

"I'm sorry I'm actually capable of having things on my mind other than figures and programs," she snapped. "Some of us like to think about things that concern us, especially once we've reached the confines of our own home." She shoved the bowl toward him, as well as an exact list of ingredients he hadn't even seen her write, and indicated he needed to start immediately. "And don't be harsh when you start mixing it. You need to mix it slowly and smoothly, or the dough won't turn out right."

She returned to the remainder of the apples as Kaiba began to measure out the ingredients. She had been very precise in her measurements, which Kaiba could appreciate. It was easy for a man of figures to determine the amounts correctly. She felt him looking at her again as she began cooking the apples in a syrup she'd made and sighed quietly. She didn't want to fight right now. In truth, she just wanted a few moments where she wouldn't have to keep up this façade. Turning to him, she said, "Thank you, for helping me. I'm sorry I snapped at you. The last thing I need to do is start getting angry and taking my frustrations out on others for things I've done." She was completely sincere with him; she had no reason to lie. She wouldn't become like her, no matter what.

Kaiba stared at her in shock. Earlier today, and even a few moments ago, she had been mocking him constantly, but now she was apologizing for her actions. What exactly was with this girl? She was constantly changing every time he engaged with her, and he wasn't sure how to react to her fluctuating moods.

She couldn't help but laugh at his expression. "I guess I do seem a bit bipolar at the moment, but not all of us are as capable of being as stone cold as you. I'm not used to being around anyone but my family or the Shinogames at this time of night. I prefer to take this time to reminisce and contemplate about everything that's happened, and I spend a lot more time alone when I do. It's easier to think that way, and I can start asking myself questions about who I am, things that happened during the day, what's important to me, or anything else that happens to come to mind.

"The truth is that often, when I work late, I spend my time thinking. I like the quiet, and I like being able to think about more than just machines and petty conversations. There is so much more to life than just numbers and figures, or fashion and fame. I don't care about being wealthy or associating with people of power; I just want to do the things that I love and work with people who share a similar passion for it. Careful, Kaiba, you're mixing it too hard," she warned as she glanced over at him.

Responses to my commentators:

Azura Soul Reaver: I'm glad you like those three so much. Hope you like this twist in Yumi's character.

ember-chan: Glad it made you laugh. I realize this one is a bit more serious, but don't worry; Yugi will get his explanation eventually. As for the dessert, I will give a cookie to whoever figures it out.

Shiningheart of ThunderClan: Yes, you were right. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update. I hope it was worthwhile.

yamiyugi4eva: I'm glad him staying amused you. Then again, Kaiba is a man who likes to aggravate his opponent. I wonder how exactly this will end up working against Yumi.

Triva: I really appreciate your thoughts on the plot and character development. It's also a great pleasure to know the words are like a dance. I actually do have such a thing in mind when I think about their dialogue. The song I listen to is called Requiem for a Dream. I think it fits perfectly.

DaAmazingMeepers: Once I reveal the name of it, if you haven't tried it, you really should. It is amazing, and not that difficult to find. If you can guess its name before I reveal it, I'll give a reward.