Disclaimer: I do not own YuGiOh.

In Japan, schools are usually in session year round, but since Domino is fairly Westernized (at least, in this fanfiction) the school has a longer summer break.

Rated M for language and mature content

Summary: When Marik begins stalking Téa and ruining her life, Ryou Bakura offers up his home. He wants her safe at any cost, but Ryou is continuously plagued with illnesses. Téa finds herself left with only Yami Bakura for protection, but the tomb robber is far from anyone's savior. As Marik's attacks grow worse, Téa finds that not everything is as it seems...

Sanctuary

By: Chi Yagami

"Your cough has gotten better."

"Yes, yes it has. I owe you so much, Téa," Ryou thanked as the two friends sat on the couch. She smiled at him and he blushed.

"It was no problem! You know I'd do anything for you." Ryou's blush deepened.

"No, Téa! It was a problem! Marik almost kidnapped you and stole your mind! Bakura was right… If I hadn't gotten sick, none of that would've happened."

"Don't say that!" she argued, sitting upright and turning her full body to him. "Don't listen to anything that jerk says! It is Marik's fault, if anyone's… and possibly mine for running into him. Bakura is mean and full of crap."

"Oh really?"

She and Ryou both jumped at the sound of Bakura's raspy voice from the front doorway. She could see the storm that was still raging through the night, beyond the open door behind him.

"Bakura, where have you been all afternoon?"

The tomb robber stripped himself of his wet garments and threw them at Ryou in response. Téa's cheeks flushed. God, why did all of the guys she knew have to have such great bodies? She had seen Bakura without a shirt before, but she hadn't really looked then (in fact, she had purposely avoided looking). But damn, Bakura had a nice set of abs. Six pack indeed, she agreed. Her cheeks were burning up just staring at him!

"What, Gardner? See something you like?" he barked suddenly, causing her to jump again.

"N-No! Of course not! All I see is a has-been! No, wait, make that a never-was!" she retorted angrily, her cheeks flaring. Why did he have to be so perceptive?

"Shut it, wench. I could rip your heart out of your chest if I wanted to!" he threatened.

She gulped and turned away, but found that Ryou was gone. He must have gone to do Bakura's laundry. Hmph! That idiot should be washing his own clothes, not forcing his lovable, sweet host to do it for him.

"Don't you have anything to say to me?" Bakura growled from the kitchen.

Anything to say, to HIM? As if…

"Uhh, No."

Bakura clenched his fists and stalked over to her. "I just saved your life from that bastard! I have a deep cut in my shoulder, and you don't have anything to say to me?!"

She flushed. She owed Bakura her life, twice. She bowed her head. "Thank you for saving me."

"Whatever," he replied and turned away sharply. Téa rolled her eyes; one would think he didn't want her to apologize…

"Why were you talking to Marik anyway?" he asked, still facing the opposite direction and leaning on the back of the couch.

"I wasn't talking to him by choice! I was getting Ryou's medicine and then decided to by him some cards… and Marik just showed up."

"What? Is that why you were at the pharaoh's house?" the spirit grumbled.

"Yes."

He scoffed. "You were outside the pharaoh's house and he couldn't even sense it? How pathetic."

She rolled her eyes, and then winced at the lump on her head. "Bakura?" He grunted. "Did you drop me on my head or something? How did I get this injury?" She gingerly touched the bruise.

"Don't blame me for injuries Marik gave you," the tomb robber snapped. Then he added, in a softer tone, "I don't think Marik took over your mind... I think he knocked you out instead."

Hmm, that made sense, she supposed. It would definitely explain the head injury, and it would also mean that Marik hadn't used mind control. She let out a sigh of relief.

"Bakura, really... thank you," she said. Catching the sincerity and pleading in her voice, he looked over his shoulder. Téa leaned up on the couch, almost eye to eye with him. "I mean it. That's twice now you've saved me. I... I owe you."

He raised a brow with interest. "Oh really?" he asked cockily. He turned around to face her fully. He leaned down further, their noses almost touching, and one of his feral grins graced his features once more.

Téa should have backed away at that dangerous look, but she was held in place by his gaze. "Yes," she finally replied, breathless. Her heart thumped loudly when Bakura bumped his nose into hers.

"And just what exactly are you going to do to repay me?"

Bakura didn't bother controlling the suggestive tone in his question, nor did he try to hide it when his eyes trailed down her neck to the small pajama tank top she wore. Téa blushed as crimson as the hot blood running through her veins. He... he couldn't be serious? She gaped him like a fish in water, stuttering to form a response.

Bakura let out a hearty laugh and pulled away from her at last. "Perhaps another time then?" he suggested, ogling her once more.

Téa finally found her voice. "Bakura!" she cried, blushing so hard that it was a surprise her face didn't melt right off.

"Just don't let it happen again," Bakura stated as he moved away from the couch.

"Bakura, I…" Téa couldn't even form a complete thought.

"Woman," he started, but stopped to face her. Téa couldn't tell what he was thinking; his face was a blank canvas.

"Be careful. I may not be around to save you next time."

And then he was gone, walking off towards his room. Téa sat there on the couch, face still flaming. What the hell was all that? She breathed in deeply, glad for the space between her and the tomb robber. Bakura had just suggested she repay him by... She blushed again. He must have been joking, right? But she couldn't forget the way his eyes had swept over her body hungrily.

Téa was still finding it hard to breathe. She should have smacked him, she should have berated him for being a total pervert, she should have... She should have done something. But all she had done was blushed like a schoolgirl.

She needed to stop thinking about it. Where had Ryou gone, she wondered as she continued to force herself to calm down.

"Ryou? Ryou… where are you?"

"Down here, Téa! In the basement!"

She followed the sound of his voice to an open door off the kitchen. This must lead down to the basement… where she figured he was doing laundry. Téa climbed down the stairs and yes, there was Ryou standing over a washing machine, sorting out Bakura's clothes.

"Why are you doing his laundry? Bakura should have to do it himself! You're not his slave!"

Ryou turned pink and mumbled. She kindly forced him to speak up.

"I'm not his slave, just his weak, worthless host," he said softly, turning redder and going back to Bakura's clothes.

WHAT?! 'Weak, worthless host'? Ryou was not weak, and he definitely wasn't worthless! How could he say such things about himself? She couldn't believe he had let Bakura push him around for so long! It was a good thing she was around now; maybe she could teach Ryou to stand up for himself!

"Ryou!" she demanded loudly, so loudly in fact that the poor boy jumped and dropped all of the laundry. Excellent…

"Yes, Téa?"

"Stop doing that moron's laundry," she ordered. Ryou looked as if he had just swallowed a sock.

"What?! But I have to! Bakura will rip out my intestines if I don't!" he cried, rubbing his stomach absentmindedly.

Téa sighed… this was exactly the sort of thing she meant.

"Ryou: you are not weak, and you are not worthless. Bakura may have ruled the house before, but now that I'm here, I'm going to put that ancient evil spirit in his place!"

Ryou's eyes glowed with hope. "Really?" he asked. "You'd do that for me?"

"Ryou, you're the best friend I've ever had! You mean so much to me: you've been there for me when no one else has. You're my best friend and I trust you with my life. Now I want to help you."

"Téa… you really mean that?" he asked again, taking her hands in his. "Oh, you're the best friend ever!" Ryou released her hands only to wrap his arms around the girl and spin her in the air.

"Ack, I'm growing dizzy…."

"Oops, sorry Téa!" He set her back down sheepishly.

"So, wanna let Bakura discover his dirty laundry by himself? Or do you want to be here when he throws a fit?" Téa asked mischievously.

Ryou grinned. "Let's go upstairs and get something to eat. I'm sure all of this has made you hungry."

Ryou was such a good cook; it probably came from watching all of those shows on the food channel, as much as she hated them. But as delicious as her dinner was, Téa couldn't find the will to stomach it. She just wasn't hungry. She set her plate on the coffee table next to Ryou's and leaned back onto the couch. Ryou's arm was resting on the back of the sofa, so she just leaned against him and relaxed. His fingers came to rest on her shoulder, slowly running back and forth.

Ahh, after a horrible day, this was the kind of relaxation she needed.

"Ryou…"

"Hmm?"

"Where'd you learn how to cook?"

"My mom taught me before she divorced my dad," he replied quietly, moving his fingers to run through her hair. That felt really nice, but… Wasn't this the type of stuff boyfriends and girlfriends did? Was she leading Ryou on by snuggling with him? He didn't still want to date her, did he? They were best friends… best friends relaxed together… played with each other's hair… stroked each other's cheeks?!

"Ryou?"

"Yes?" Téa felt his warm breath on her neck, and she was afraid to face him. She really didn't want him getting the wrong idea...

"You, uhh… you don't still have a crush on me, do you?" she wondered nervously.

"What?" His voice was right next to her ear. "Oh, no, of course not! Téa, you are being silly!"

Oh thank Ra… Was he really just comfortable like this? Well, Téa supposed that was okay, as long as Ryou was truly fine with it. She leaned further against him. It was nice to feel loved without having to go out and find a guy like… like Marik, her mind supplied… UGH. She needed to stop thinking about that creep! She needed to wash away all of the bad (Marik, Bakura, her stalker-killer, her house being burned, her parents, the obsessive Yami Yugi), and focus on the good (Ryou, and… well, she guessed Ryou was the only support in her life unless she counted her so-called friends). She closed her eyes and snuggled into the curve of his body.

"Ryou, have I told you that you make the perfect pillow?"

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Hmm… good."

She could just fall asleep like this, right now… this was absolutely—

"RYOU!"

Damn. That jerk just HAD to interrupt her perfect evening, didn't he?

"Oh no," Ryou whispered, "Bakura must have found the—"

The basement door banged open and Bakura entered the kitchen, fuming like a madman (which he was…). And he was holding his wet, discarded laundry. The other two peered at him nervously from behind the safety of the couch.

"Ryou, why isn't my laundry clean?! I told you to do this several hours ago!" the tomb robber growled, shaking the clothes in their direction. "Stop getting mushy with that wench and get over here! NOW."

"Leave him alone, Bakura!" she shouted, standing up and pulling Ryou with her. "Ryou is not doing your laundry anymore. You can wash your own clothes! Come along, Ryou."

And with that, they left the tomb robber trying to stare them both to death, and Téa dragged Ryou into her new bedroom by the hand. After closing the door, she made sure to lock it so Bakura couldn't follow. Well, not without doing some massive damage.

Ryou voiced their collective thoughts. "Téa, what are we doing? Bakura can just break down the door…"

"Ehh, I know. But let the baby tomb robber sulk for a bit," she replied, starting to open one of her boxes. "Help me unpack."

"Are you sure? Isn't this personal for you?"

"Haha… Ryou, if you don't want to help, I can always throw you out, where Bakura is waiting…"

"No! I just meant, well, this is your personal stuff… and you just lost your home. You might have wanted alone-time."

"Ryou," she laughed, "it's okay. It's not like you're going through my undergarments or anything."

"Uhh…" Ryou mumbled and turns away, blushing heavily. Téa recalled that night at her house… when she ran downstairs without a shirt…

"ANYWAY… just grab a box and I'll tell you what to do!"

"Okay!"

Ah. Her REAL bed was now set up (the guest bed was taken apart and moved to the garage). Her desk, dresser, and nightstand were arranged too; the mirror was still on the wall being investigated. The police claimed that they could find no fingerprints, but the writing was definitely human blood. Gross.

"Well, Téa, do you feel more at home now?" Ryou inquired, sitting on her bed. Ahh, yes! She jumped onto the bed next to him and stretched out.

"Thank you so much."

"It's no problem, Téa. I know you would do the same for me."

"Of course I would! But I'd probably make Bakura sleep in a doghouse…"

They both started laughing uncontrollably at the thought of Bakura actually sleeping in a doghouse. She glanced at the clock: ten o'clock already! Spring Break was coming to an end, and tomorrow was a school day! Summer was just around the corner, but they still had to get through final exams!

"Ryou, you should be getting ready for bed! Go on, go change and get ready," she told him, opening the door and ushering him into the bathroom. "I'll go get your medicine."

"Okay, mom," he joked, closing the door behind him.

Téa walked into the kitchen and retrieved the medication from the pantry. She closed the door and— AHH. She closed the door and screamed!

"AAHHH! Bakura, you scared me!" she gasped, clutching her chest. He had been lurking behind the pantry door!

"Wench."

"Stop calling me that, tomb robber," she snapped, turning and walking away. He followed closely.

"You think you can push me around in MY home?"

"I live here too now, or did you forget?" she argued, selecting a glass and filling it with cool water from the fridge to help Ryou take the pills.

"Damn it, I was here first! And I will not let some… woman just walk in and invade my space! Especially not someone who is in love with the pharaoh!"

"I am NOT in love with Yami!" she growled, whipping around. "I don't know where you got your information from, but you are wrong!"

Téa stormed away with the pills and water in hand, Bakura still following. Why did everyone think she was in love with Yami?! They had gone on one date! ONE DATE! And it was at Yugi's request! She didn't have any feelings for Yami anymore! Well, okay, she had feelings but not good ones. He was the one obsessed with her!

"Here, Ryou, I brought your medicine!" she announced brightly, stepping into the bathroom and slamming the door in Bakura's face.

That felt good.

"Thanks, Téa!" Ryou finished washing his face before taking the pills.

"I should probably take your temperature, just to make sure you are well enough to go to school tomorrow," Téa said thoughtfully.

"LET ME IN YOU STUPID WEAKLING! I NEED TO PEE!"

Issues… Bakura had SERIOUS ISSUES…

"Tell me if I'm wrong… but I'm pretty sure I just heard Bakura say the word 'pee'…?"

"Ah, yes…"

"Hehe… Bakura sounds like a child!"

"I HEARD THAT YOU WENCH!"

Téa sighed as she looked for the thermometer. Bakura needed to get over himself. And there was another bathroom, the one in Ryou's dad's room. He could always just go use that one. If he really did have to use the bathroom that was. She was not sure she believed him…

"Maybe we should let him in… I don't want him breaking down any doors…"

"Nonsense, Ryou," she replied cheerfully. "The little spirit is just throwing a temper-tantrum. And, like all children, he needs to learn who makes the rules."

"And that would be…?"

"YOU."

"Oh."

She knew Ryou wasn't very aggressive, but that's why she was giving him that extra push! He needed to show Bakura who was the boss!

¡ZIZZ ZAP!

"Ryou…?"

"Yes…?"

"Did your power just go out?"

"I believe so… At least, the lights in the bathroom went out… Bakura?" Ryou called nervously.

"What?!" came the response from the hall. "I didn't do anything! It was probably that blasted storm! This is why we should've moved to back Egypt…"

Téa grasped Ryou's hands in one of her own and felt around for the doorknob. She didn't exactly feel safe in a dark house with Bakura, but she supposed it was better than being in a dark house with Marik.

¡SPLAT!

"What was that?" Téa asked fearfully. Ryou's hands trembled in her own.

"Téa… look…"

"Where? It's too dark to— Oh my… !"

There was a large red handprint on the mirror. It gave off an eerie red glow that reflected on the two scared teenagers' faces. Téa sucked in a large breath. The print was made of blood. And it was dripping.

"AHHH!" she and Ryou both screamed in terror, running for the door. Téa wrenched the door open and they both ran into Bakura.

"What the hell are you two idiots screaming about?" he griped, peering into the bathroom. "OH. What is that?!" Even Bakura sounded unsure.

"It's a bloody handprint, you bloody spirit!" Ryou squeaked, hiding behind the tomb robber.

Bakura sighed. "Which one of you is fooling around with me?"

"We're not!" they both replied at once.

"We were holding each other's hands!"

"There's no way we'd have time to wash off the blood!"

"How do you know it's blood?" the spirit questioned suspiciously. Then, without waiting for one of them to answer, he entered the bathroom and dipped a finger through the blood. And then he… licked his finger!

"Bakura!" the other two both shrieked, and he turned his head so quickly that Téa swore she heard his neck pop.

"That's disgusting," Ryou commented, making a face. "We don't even know whose blood it is!"

"If it is blood…" Téa muttered hopefully.

Bakura caught her eye. "It is blood."

Sick. Where had it come from?! It wasn't her blood… and it wasn't Ryou's… had Bakura done something freaky with his Millennium Ring to get back at them?

"Bakura, did you so something? Are you trying to psych Téa out with the stalker thing?" Ryou pressed, voicing her thoughts. Hmm, her stalker…

"What if Marik did it?" she offered. "I mean… what if he did something freaky with his Millennium Rod?"

"Couldn't have done," Bakura countered. "My Ring would sense any other Millennium Items nearby, and there isn't one."

Téa was grateful for that, but she still felt uneasy. "I still say it was Marik. He probably did some mystic Egyptian voodoo—"

"Egyptian what!"

"Bakura, she wasn't insulting you… or Egypt."

"Just go to sleep, you pansies. My Millennium Ring would be able to sense Marik if he were here."

But Téa couldn't sleep; it was too dark and too stormy and she was afraid of Marik's bloody handprint! Well, so she couldn't prove that it was Marik… but she just knew it was him! He had wanted to scare her no doubt, after all he was the stalker. He had burned down her house and attacked her locker. He also tried to kidnap and possibly rape her! Téa suddenly had a horrible thought: if Marik was here… did that mean that his evil (err, eviler) side was here as well? Shadi gave both Yami and Bakura bodies… so it could be possible that Yami Marik received one as well… But, then again, Yami Marik hadn't been an ancient spirit; he was more like the darker half of Marik's actual personality (or something like that, according to Ishizu). Which technically made Marik insane… having two personalities (Dissociative Identity Disorder, if she recalled correctly)… Téa wondered if she could get him admitted to an asylum. That would solve most of her problems.

The power was still out, and lightning flashed across the sky constantly. Every crack of thunder she heard sounded like it was Marik breaking down the door! She really wished he hadn't seen which house she had escaped into…

Releasing her pillow from the death-grip she'd had it in, Téa tiredly sat up and got off the bed. She knew it would be weak and childish, but… she wanted to know where Ryou and Bakura were. She hadn't entirely ruled out the possibility that Bakura could be her stalker… What if he tried to do something while the power was out? But…

"Never fear, little one. You are safe here."

And then what was that whole thing where he had comforted her in her backyard? Men were so confusing…

Someone was in the bathroom, and Téa hoped to Ra that it was Bakura. She didn't need him making a scene about how scared she was; Téa already knew she was a scaredy-cat. She gingerly pushed the boys' door open and stared into the dark room: she couldn't see who exactly was asleep there, but they were in the bottom bunk. Why do they have a bunk bed anyway? she thought. Couldn't Bakura have just moved into the room she was now occupying? Or have slept in Mr. Bakura's bed while the man was away? Didn't Bakura want to stay as far away as possible from his 'weak-ass host'?

She let out a huge breath upon creeping closer and finding that it was Ryou asleep in the bunk, snoozing deeply. He looked so peaceful like that, breathing slowly with his mouth parted just slightly. Now she felt even guiltier about waking him, but… she shook his shoulder gently and whispered, "Ryou? Ryou, are you awake?"

"Hmm… Téa? Is that you?" he asked groggily, wiping at his eyes. "Oh, Téa, what happened?!"

"Nothing! Nothing," she replied quietly, stooping to avoid hitting the top bunk. Ryou immediately scooted over and offered her a seat.

"I… I just…"

"You're scared?"

Damn, did he have to say it so bluntly? "Well, yes… I'm a nervous wreck, aren't I?" she admitted sadly, fingering her pajama bottoms. Ryou wrapped an arm around her.

"No, you're a smart girl, Téa. Who wouldn't be scared after all that has happened?"

"Hmm," she acknowledged. "Oh… and is Bakura in the bathroom?"

"I guess… Why?"

"I… Can I stay with you?"

Her voice sort of died out near the end there… why was she nervous?

"You are staying with me, Téa. Oh, you mean like…?"

"Yes," she squeaked. "I totally understand! It's okay! I'll just go back to my—"

"Need me to protect you?" he teased with a smile that could almost be considered a smirk.

"I have found myself to be quite vulnerable in the last week, so, yes, I would say I need your protection. But, most of all, I would like your protection," Téa agreed, smiling softly.

"Certainly, my lady," he replied, bowing his head. "Unfortunately I am out of shining armor…"

"That's all right. I'm good if you have a warm blanket…"

"That, I do have."

Ryou smiled and moved the covers around, making room for her. Ah, a nice warm bed and someone watching over her: Téa felt better already. Now, hopefully Bakura wouldn't wake them up when he came back in… With a yawn, she snuggled into the extra pillow (giving Ryou plenty of space) and closed her eyes…

The room was warmer… Téa felt herself drifting off...

. . .

Téa didn't want to get up… it was so comfortable; she buried deeper into the mess of blankets and curled her arm tighter around the pillow. Something warm was blowing against her forehead every few seconds… Mhmm, it smells nice, she thought, like a mixture of shampoo and fresh clothes from the dryer. She really didn't want to get up, but school resumed today.

She opened her eyes carefully and caught a blur of white, most definitely Ryou's hair… That's right, she had fallen asleep in his bed last night because she was scared of the storm and the possibility that Marik would break in. Her eyes regained their focus, and Téa noticed that, not only could she see Ryou's snowy hair, she could also see his pale chest, moving with each breath he took.

"Good morning, sleepy-head."

Eep, Ryou was awake! She hoped he hadn't caught her staring at his chest…

"Morning, Ryou," she stammered, her voice cracking. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah… Téa, we need to get ready for school…"

"Yes, I know," she replied dejectedly. "I'm just too comfortable to move."

"Would you move if I did this…?" Ryou teased, giving her a devious smile.

What… Ahahahahahahahahaha!

"Stop—" giggle "—tickling—" laugh "—me—!"

She rolled off the bed and landed on the floor in a mess of pillows. Giggling still, she ;eft Ryou to get dressed for school and went to her own room. Crap, she had forgotten about her backpack burning in the fire… Maybe she could borrow some of Ryou's things until she had a chance to buy her own (this would be the second time in a week she'd need new books!). Thankfully the school uniform and most of her other clothes had been in her room. However, almost all of her shoes had been lost, and she only had the sneakers she'd been wearing. Thankfully, there was a pair of school shoes in her locker.

Ryou was almost ready when Téa returned to ask for a spare backpack and notebook. Unfortunately, he didn't own any 'backpacks' only briefcase satchels. She selected a nice black one and slipped a new notebook inside. Ryou also offered to share his textbooks; they could meet up after every class and exchange books.

She entered the living room to find Bakura fast asleep on the couch. She meant to check this morning, to see if the tomb robber had slept on the top bunk with her in the room. Guess not…

"Should we wake him?" she asked, leaning over the snoozing spirit.

"Nah. He would probably send us to the Shadow Realm. Bakura likes his sleep."

Ryou left a note for Bakura on the coffee table before they left. Then, together they walked to school since it was such a nice day. Ryou's house was a lot closer to the school than her own had been, so the two friends arrived earlier than Téa was used to. Together they had first period Geometry, and no one aside from the teacher was there yet. Téa usually sat by Yugi and Miho, but today she decided she was going to sit next to Ryou. She felt so much closer to him now… She knew Yugi had been her childhood friend for years and always would be, but she felt that she and Yugi had grown apart lately. And, with all that had happened over the past week, she just felt awkward not sitting with Ryou.

"Téa," he said, startled as she sat down in the desk next to his (the desks were in sets of two), "don't you sit over there?"

"I used to, but, seeing as how we don't have assigned seats, I'm moving. You don't mind do you?" He still seemed shocked. "Did you think our friendship was over because we are back in school? Besides… we still have to finish that project that is due Friday."

"No, Téa, I just thought—"

"You thought I'd rather sit with Yugi?" she asked; he nodded. "Well, I would have, before last week."

Ryou smiled warmly and scratched the back of his head. Téa knew he had always been kind of an outsider to 'their' group, but did he really think she would go straight back to Yugi's side after all they had just been through? Okay, okay, she and Yugi had been through a lot too, but it wasn't the same. She and Yugi rarely hung out these days.

"Say, Ryou, isn't Bakura enrolled at school? I've only seen him here a few times, but I know that he and Yami are supposed to be enrolled as your cousins… right?"

"Yes… but Bakura likes to play hooky a lot."

"Oh, I see… And what are we doing for the project?"

"I have no clue, Téa."

Other students began to trickle into the classroom. The boy who used to sit next to Ryou merely shrugged upon finding Téa in his seat; he took her old seat without question. At last, someone she knew walked in: Miho.

"Téa! Téa, guess what!" the girl squealed, dashing over to her desk. "Duke Devlin just asked me to the prom!"

Prom? …ugh. Téa had forgotten all about the prom. Good thing she hadn't signed up for the dance committee this time…

"Duke?" Ryou asked. "I thought you and Tristan were together?"

"Where have you been, Ryou? Tristan and I broke up over winter break. But I've always had the hugest crush on Duke Devlin!" Miho gushed, staring off into space dreamily.

Oh someone shoot me, Téa thought. Miho liked Duke? But didn't he like Serenity?

"Doesn't he like Joey's sister?" she reminded the purple-haired girl, raising an eyebrow.

Miho's face darkened for a second before she continued giddily, "Duke did like that Wheeler girl, but she already has a date to the prom! And she is only a freshman! So, Duke asked me instead!"

"Miho, that sounds like you were a Plan B," Téa concluded worriedly. She didn't want her friend getting hurt.

"Nonsense, Téa! He will realize his true feelings for me at the dance; I can feel it!" Miho exclaimed happily as the bell rang. Sitting down, the girl finally noticed that Téa was not sitting in her usual seat. Yugi, who had also just sat down, noticed as well and threw her a confused look. Téa shrugged and waved.

After a hectic morning of running all over the campus trying to find Ryou and switch textbooks, Téa was ready for a stress-free lunch. None of her friends had asked about her house, not even Yami, which meant that the news had not reported the fire or the mirror message. This was good because now she didn't have to reveal her new residence. It wasn't a problem of her friends being opposed to her living with Ryou... but the other one.

"I forgot about the prom," Ryou told her as they walked to the cafeteria. "I never liked dances: I'm not very good at them."

"You aren't very good at dancing?"

"No, I'm okay at dancing. Not so much the getting-the-date part."

"Do you plan on going?" she asked, pushing open the cafeteria doors.

"Maybe. I might go if someone asks me."

"I don't know if I am going," Téa replied. "I know Yami is going to ask me, but I definitely don't want to go with him."

She and Ryou both laughed at that and joined the lunch line. As she loaded her tray, Téa debated whether or not to sit at the 'usual' table… But the guilt kicked in and she did feel as if she had been ignoring her friends a little. Even if the bigger problem was that they had been ignoring her… Téa also enjoyed hanging out with Ryou alone. She didn't have to lie or hide things from him; they were completely honest with each other. Téa wished she was still that close with the rest of her friends.

Someone abruptly blocked her path.

"Hello again, my pet. And, Ryou, good to see you out of the hospital, old chap."